✅ 3 simple rules that changed how I manage people forever:

"Don't worry, you're gonna do great".

The old man's words were the only reason I made it to the red circle.

TEDx San Diego Theatre

Minutes earlier I was frozen in the green room. My body felt like 1,000 pounds. My doubts became screams. I've only been a founder for a couple years. Why am I giving a TED talk? People are going to laugh me out of this theatre.

My mind raced for any plausible way to back out.

That's when he spoke up. "I'll be watching from here, rooting you on."

Something about the old man's voice got my legs working again. It was the nudge I needed.

Hard to see the sweat, but it was there.

I gave my 7 minute and 36 second talk about nonprofit leadership. I wasn't sure how it went.

"See, I told you you'd do great. You should be proud"

I was dripping sweat as I re-entered the green room. The old man had watched the whole thing.

"Think so? I forgot half my lines."

"But you did it."

Then he walked on stage to give his own talk. I was so focused on myself, I barely registered the exchange as I headed for the door.

⁂

Years later, an advisor sent me a book that changed the way I thought about leadership.

The One Minute Manager

The One Minute Manager - the most simple, yet helpful book I ever read on people management. This one short book made me want to read everything from the author. So I googled his name:

Ken Blanchard_

His face stared back at me.

The old man from my TED talk.

My jaw dropped. Ken was one of the most successful and influential business writers of all time.

Ken Blanchard. Photo credit Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune.

I felt stupid and selfish. Here Ken was, a best selling author & coach, about to give one of his best talks ever, and he was focused on me. Helping me get the balls to walk on stage.

That night I wrote Ken a thank you. He responded with equal grace and even more support.

⁂

The One Minute Manager quickly became required reading for every manager at my company. It's sold 20 million copies, and for good reason!

Here are three of my favorite lessons from The One Minute Manager that changed the way I manage people forever:

⁂

1. Great leadership is a side-by-side relationship

"The most effective leaders manage themselves, and the people they work with, so that BOTH the people and the organization profit from their presence."

The One Minute Manager

Ken teaches that leadership isn't a top-down dictatorship. It's a partnership with each person on the team.

Effective management is built on shared goals and mutual respect. The manager works with people, not over them.
When the organization wins, the people should win (and vice versa).
Clear (and mutual) expectations are everything.
Effective managers make sure their people understand how they're doing..
Managers should keep goals simple so everyone understands the direction and can measure progress along the way.

Get this right and your people will start managing themselves. The ultimate form of organizational leverage.

⁂

2. Catch people doing something right

Instead of harping on everything people get wrong, Ken talks a lot about building people up when they do something right. Carrot more than stick.

People who feel good about themselves consistently produce good results.
Positive reinforcement drives behavior. People repeat what's recognized.
Managers should praise early and often. Let people know what they did right, and be specific.
Make it clear you have confidence in them and support their success.

This was a mental shift for me as a young manager. Positive recognition isn't soft, it's smart.

⁂

3. Correct the behavior, not the person

"The Re-Direct only takes about a minute, and when its over, it's over. But you remember it, and since its done in a supportive way, you want to get back on track."

The One Minute Manager

In the One Minute Manager, Ken introduces the "Re-Direct", a coaching technique to get someone back on track after a mistake.

Address mistakes quickly and specifically, not emotionally or vaguely.
Deliver re-directs in private and don't drag the meeting on.
Focus on the action and behavior ("what went wrong"), not the person ("what's wrong with you")
End with reaffirmation. Remind the person they are valued and capable.

This taught me to be MUCH more proactive with feedback and coaching. Instead of waiting for a formal annual review, every 1×1 becomes an opportunity to help people stay on track.

⁂

"But you did it"

Ken's words still stick with me today.

Now whenever I face a challenge, I think to myself, "If I could face that, I can certainly face this."

But here's what I didn't realize at the time. Ken wasn't just being nice in that green room. He was demonstrating everything he'd later teach me through his book.

True leadership isn't a collection of fancy techniques. It's about how the smallest acts of support, delivered at the right moment, can change someone's trajectory forever.

Till next time,

Never say die 🏴‍☠️

Scot

~~~

P.S. I highly recommend watching Ken's TED talk. It's over ten years old at this point, but timeless.