Kenneth Blanchard (1939- )
American management expert (pictured right) .
Key books
Management of Organizational Behaviour
(1972), written with Paul
Hershey
There are four leadership styles:
1. Telling
(others what to do).
2. Selling
(explaining decisions).
3. Participating
(involving others in decision making).
4. Delegating
(giving them the power to do a job).
The best leadership style depends on the situation (“situational
leadership”).
For example:
- telling what to do is best for quick decisions.
- involving people and delegating are essential for their motivation.
But leaders must be competent and confident enough.
So their ability to take decisions is another key factor determining leadership style.
The One Minute Manager
(1982), written with Spencer Johnson (pictured right)
Effective managers:
- get results from people (e.g. by not manipulating them and making them feel good
about themselves).
- fulfil people's potential.
- emphasize the quality of work done (not just the quantity).
- “speak the truth, laugh, work, enjoy” (and encourage other people to do the
same).
They are also a “One Minute Manager” who achieves impressive results in a very short time through:
1. One minute goal setting
Defining responsibilities and performance standards in less than 250 words.
2. One minute praisings
Praising people immediately, succinctly and specifically
3. One minute reprimands (encouragingly without
malice)
People should be told immediately and specifically what the manager is doing and why.
Key quote on
management
The best minute I spend is the one I invest in people.
Key quote on
quality
Quality is simply giving people the product or service they really want and
need.
The Power of Ethical Management
(1988), written with Norman Vincent Peale
(pictured right below)
Three questions resolve ethical issues:
- Is it balanced (ie fair, rational and equitable)?
- How will it make me feel about myself?
Five principles (the 5 P’s) lead to ethical behaviour and should be applied to an
organization’s strategy:
- Pride (self-esteem and self-confidence).
- Patience (trusting in everlasting values).
- Persistence (involving refusal to compromise
ethical standards).
- Perspective (spiritual meaning and values from
thoughtful action).
Key quotes on ethics and success
If we have to cheat to win then we’d better think twice about what we’re doing.
Nice guys may appear to finish last, but usually they’re running in a different race.
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