The New One Minute Manager

The New One Minute Manager (Scribd digital edition) is a business manager’s leadership guide. Though originally published as a best seller in 1982, the authors—Ken Blanchard, PhD and Spencer Johnson, MD—released an updated version of the text for contemporary times in 2015, incorporating philosophies that reflect modern trends and techniques for today’s business leadership. Considered influential figures in business and management, the co-authors wrote the story as a fictional parable (a short and simple tale that imparts a moral lesson), which invites readers to follow a young man’s path as he seeks out the Three Secrets in excellent leadership—known as One Minute Management. The story is told from a third-person omniscient perspective, tracing the young man’s journey, struggles, and successes.

The narrative begins with the primary character, referred to only as “the young man,” who is on a worldwide search for exceptional managers in various business settings, meeting managers who fall into two categories: “results-oriented” or “people-oriented.” This dichotomy is stark, as one group of leaders uses tough, unapologetically direct tactics that stifle the creativity and comfort of employees but yield the desired results. On the other hand, another cohort of leaders are friendly and warm, prioritizing the happiness of their employees but often at the expense of the most profitable goals.