The New One Minute Manager

by Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson

4.6(6,013 ratings)

14 min read

Brief overview

This book presents a simple yet powerful method for managers to motivate their teams, resolve mistakes, and foster growth with concise, purposeful interactions. By focusing on clear objectives, timely recognition, and constructive feedback, leaders can help employees develop a sense of ownership in their work and reach their full potential.

Introduction: Why a Fresh Approach to Managing Matters

If you’ve ever worked under a manager who seemed more focused on deadlines than people, or another who was kind yet ended up doing all the work, you’ve witnessed the extremes of management styles. This book tackles the dilemma of how to be both firm and supportive, using practical techniques anyone can adopt.

The main message is that leadership doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Rather than hovering over employees or ignoring them until a crisis arises, a more balanced approach can free up time for everyone to focus on meaningful work. By applying short but highly targeted interactions, you can keep your team engaged and confident.

These pages introduce a method where keeping channels of communication open is key. The goal? Equip people to manage themselves by setting clear expectations and knowing they have your support. We’ll see how small shifts in feedback and goal-setting can spark significant improvements in both productivity and morale.

In the chapters that follow, you’ll discover the famous “three secrets” of this concise management approach: one-minute goals, one-minute praisings, and one-minute redirects. Each of these secrets is designed to help you guide your team by offering the right level of direction, encouragement, and correction—quickly and consistently.

Shifting from Tough or Nice to Efficient Leadership

Many managers cling to one of two outdated extremes: the ‘tough’ autocrat, who rules through fear and focuses solely on results, or the ‘nice’ caretaker, who avoids discomfort and sacrifices accountability for harmony. Over time, these styles often lead to low engagement or slack performance.

Yet business environments move fast, and teams must pivot and adapt even quicker. Emerging research proves that a dual focus on people and results yields far greater success. In essence, caring for your team isn’t contradictory to meeting goals—in fact, it’s essential to do both simultaneously.

What sets the new approach apart is its simplicity and brevity. While some managers conduct endless meetings, micromanage tasks, or offer hazy direction, the more balanced leader cuts through the noise. They deliver instructions and feedback in short, impactful bursts, ensuring employees stay engaged and on track.

A manager who sees value in each person garners greater loyalty and improves performance across the board.

Looking to dive deeper into The New One Minute Manager?

Download our app to unlock every key idea and gain full access.

What is The New One Minute Manager about?

The New One Minute Manager explores a concise and dynamic approach to leadership. Centered on setting clear objectives, offering prompt praise, and providing timely feedback, the book shows how focused communication can help managers spark motivation and accountability. Through straightforward techniques, readers learn the value of shared goals that encourage every team member to participate fully, creating a culture where achievements are recognized and mistakes become growth opportunities.

By shortening and sharpening interactions, the authors emphasize real-time guidance over lengthy policy documents. This direct style leads to improved morale and a greater sense of ownership among employees. In turn, managers have more time to focus on higher-level strategy and innovation, rather than micromanaging daily tasks. The result is a more engaged and adaptable team that is ready to tackle challenges with confidence.

Review of The New One Minute Manager

This book’s key strength lies in its practical blueprint for aligning everyone’s efforts swiftly. Readers learn to craft brief, measurable targets and regularly track progress, ensuring that each team member knows exactly where they stand. The unique aspect is the emphasis on positive reinforcement—praising what’s going well before jumping into corrections—so employees feel motivated instead of pressured.

The writing style is clear and easy to follow, making it accessible for managers at any experience level. Tools offered in the book can be applied across industries, whether you’re managing a small startup or a large organization. Overall, The New One Minute Manager is recommended for leaders seeking a method that balances people skills with performance outcomes. The strategies focus on saving time, encouraging growth, and ultimately guiding teams to sustained success.

Who should read The New One Minute Manager?

Newly promoted supervisors looking for a structured guidance system
Seasoned leaders who want a concise roadmap for team engagement
Project managers seeking clearer goal-setting and progress tracking
HR professionals aiming to improve workplace culture through constructive feedback
Entrepreneurs building small teams who need simple yet effective leadership tools

About the author

Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson are renowned authors and experts in management and leadership. Ken Blanchard is a prominent author, speaker, and business consultant with a Ph.D. in Education Administration from Cornell University. He has authored or coauthored over 60 books, including "The One Minute Manager," which has sold over 13 million copies. Spencer Johnson, a physician and author, coauthored "The One Minute Manager" and is also known for his bestselling book "Who Moved My Cheese?," which has been translated into 26 languages. Both authors have extensive experience in leadership and management, with Blanchard serving as the co-founder and Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies and Johnson having worked with the Harvard Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government.