One Minute Manager

There are two main types of managers in the world:

1. Hard-Nosed: Results and bottom-line oriented. Typically viewed as autocratic.


2. Soft: Nice to the people, but not as good in results. Typically viewed as democratic.

Can there be BOTH? Where the manager is a nice person AND results are good?

OF COURSE you can have your cake and eat it too. :)

It's called being a 'One Minute Manager'.

There are three main steps to being a One Minute Manager.

1. One Minute Goals
   First, ask yourself what you think your duties are. Then, go ask your boss. (Or, if you are the boss and have employees, reverse the roles.) Chances are, each of you will have a different opinion of what you (or the employees) are suppose to do.
   
   Now, can you see the importance of goals? So, write down, in 250 words or less on 1 sheet of paper, the your goals - either for a specific project or overall what you're suppose to be doing. Make two copies, one for you and one for your boss, so you both know exactly what you're suppose to be doing. Not too many. Maybe 3-6 total.
   
   Without that, it's like two football teams running up and down the field without any goals - not being able to score touchdowns. No one knows what the goal is. :)
   


2. One Minute Praises
   Everyone feels better when they're happier; so, instead of trying to catch someone doing something wrong and waiting for the *gag* Yearly Performance Eval's, CATCH THEM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT! :) You'll feel alot better and so will they. So, tell them exactly what they did right and how you feel about it. Bosses, even if things aren't going so great in other areas doesn't mean you shouldn't be grateful and appreciative of what is going well. Tell them right away and that will let the employees know you are aware of what they're doing and you care about them.


3. One Minute Reprimands
   This happens only when the person's been on the job awhile and knows the ropes. Like the 'One Minute Praising', tell the person the behavior they did wrong (don't attack them as a person) and tell them right away. That way, they know right up front. The second half of the reprimand is letting them know that they're still a good person. Tough 'N Nice.

This is the meat of the One Minute Manager, and I hope you've enjoyed it and can apply it in your busines(es).