The One Minute Manager

A Gift For Others 
SUDDENLY the intercom buzzed and startled the man. “Excuse me, sir, for interrupting 
you,” he heard his secretary say, “but there is a young woman on the phone. She wants to 
know if she can come and talk to you about the way we manage people here.” 
The new One Minute Manager was pleased. He knew more women were entering the 
business world. And he was glad that some of them were as keen to learn about good 
management as he had been. 
The manager’s department was now running smoothly. As you might expect, it was 
one of the best operations of its kind in the world. His people were productive and happy. 
And he was happy too. It felt good to be in his position. 
“Come any time,” he heard himself telling the caller. 
And soon he found himself talking to a bright young person. “I’m glad to share my 
management secrets with you,” the new One Minute Manager said, as he showed the 
visitor to his couch. “I will only make one request of you.” 
“What is that,” the visitor asked. 
“Simply,” the manager began, “that you ...” 

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Kenneth Blanchard & Spenser Johnson – THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER 
61 
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Kenneth Blanchard & Spenser Johnson – THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER 
62 
 
Acknowledgments 
Over the years we have learned from, and been influenced by, many individuals. We 
would like to acknowledge and give a public praising to the following people: 
A Special Praising to: 
*
Dr. Gerald Nelson
, the originator of The One Minute Scolding, an amazingly 
effective method of parental discipline. We have adapted his method into “The One 
Minute Reprimand,” an equally effective method of 
managerial
discipline. 
and to: 
Dr. Elliott Carlisle 
for what he taught us about productive managers who have time to 
think and plan. 
Dr. Thomas Connellan 
for what he taught us about making behavioral concepts and 
theories clear and understandable to all. 
Dr. Paul Hersey 
for what he taught us about weaving the various applied behavioral 
sciences into a useful fabric. 
Dr. Vernon Johnson 
for what he taught us about the Crisis Intervention Method of 
treatment for alcoholics. 
Dr. Dorothy Jongeward, Jay Shelov
, and 
Abe Wagner 
for what they taught us about 
communication and the OK-ness of people. 
Dr. Robert Lorber 
for what he taught us about the application and use of behavioral 
concepts in business and industry. 
Dr. Kenneth Majer 
for what he taught us about goal-setting and performance. 
Dr. Charles McCormick 
for what he taught us about touching and professionalism. 
Dr. Carl Rogers 
for what he taught us about personal honesty and openness. 
Louis Tice 
for what he taught us about unlocking human potential. 

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Kenneth Blanchard & Spenser Johnson – THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER 
63