Leadership & Management: What The One Minute Manager Reminds Us
At the start of this week, we spotlighted The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson—a book that proves powerful leadership doesn’t have to be complicated. Its simplicity is its strength. But the real question is this:
How often are you actually applying these lessons in your business?
Let’s break down the core messages—and more importantly, how to act on them in your leadership style.
1. Set Clear Goals (One Minute Goals)
In business, ambiguity kills momentum. Your team can’t deliver results if they don’t know what success looks like. The One Minute Manager teaches us to invest just a few moments upfront to clearly define expectations.
Leadership tip:
Make goal-setting a habit, not a one-off. Take five minutes each week to check in with your team—”Are we still aligned? Is anything unclear?” That time investment often pays off tenfold.
2. Catch People Doing Things Right (One Minute Praisings)
It’s easy to get caught up in solving problems. But what if your leadership superpower was catching people doing something right?
Management tip:
Create a culture where good performance is recognised immediately. A quick message, a public shoutout, or a casual “thank you” goes a long way toward building morale and performance.
3. Deal With Mistakes Quickly (One Minute Reprimands)
Ignoring issues only allows them to grow. Addressing them early—calmly, fairly, and constructively—makes you a respected leader, not a feared one.
Freedom BC mindset:
Mistakes are learning moments. The sooner you address them, the sooner your team learns, grows, and avoids repeating them.
So What Does This Mean for You—The Business Owner?
Leadership isn’t about working longer hours or having all the answers. It’s about setting the tone, creating clarity, and giving people the space to succeed or learn.
The beauty of The One Minute Manager lies in its message: Leadership is a series of small, intentional acts. Do them well and often—and your team will do the rest.
Need Help Becoming the Leader Your Business Deserves?
At Freedom BC, we work with business owners to develop the mindset and habits of confident leaders—without the overwhelm. Whether you’re scaling a team or just trying to make sure the right things get done, we’re here to help.
👉 Book your next session or speak to us about our leadership support at www.freedombc.uk