Book Review: Leadership & The One Minute Manager

At first it may seem an odd choice for a book review. The One Minute Manager series is known for being a simple, easy to digest series of books seemingly designed for busy managers stuck at an airport bookstore with $20 to burn. And in fact, that is exactly what Leadership and the One Minute Manager is, with one important difference. Instead of selling a compilation of the authors own musings on leadership, Leadership and the One Minute Manager presents a compelling case for and explanation of situational leadership theory.

At the core of situational leadership theory is the idea that different individuals respond to a different style of leadership based on their maturity level within their position. The authors define four main maturity levels that followers fall under:

• M1 - They generally lack the specific skills required for the job in hand and are unable and unwilling to do or to take responsibility for this job or task.
• M2 - They are still unable to take on responsibility for the task being done; however, they are willing to work at the task.
• M3 - They are experienced and able to do the task but lack the confidence to take on responsibility.
• M4 - They are experienced at the task, and comfortable with their own ability to do it well. They are able and willing to not only do the task, but to take responsibility for the task.

The authors then outline the four behavioral styles that leaders should use to engage their followers (conveniently paired to the corresponding numbered maturity level):

• S1: Telling - is characterized by one-way communication in which the leader defines the roles of the individual or group and provides the what, how, when, and where to do the task
• S2: Selling - while the leader is still providing the direction, he or she is now using two-way communication and providing the socio-emotional support that will allow the individual or group being influenced to buy into the process.
• S3: Participating - this is now shared decision making about aspects of how the task is accomplished and the leader is providing less task behaviors while maintaining high relationship behavior.
• S4: Delegating - the leaders is still involved in decisions; however, the process and responsibility has been passed to the individual or group. The leader stays involved to monitor progress.

As mentioned, this book initially appears as just another in the airport friendly One Minute Manager series. However the authors succeeded in explaining a well-researched and prominent leadership theory within the framework of a business fable that is easily understandable to almost any reader. If you’re looking for an easy way to understand Situational Leadership Theory, Leadership and the One Minute Manager can do so before your plane even touches down.

• July 20, 2010 -- Book Review: Start With Why (0)
• March 29, 2010 -- Book Review: Greater Than Yourself (0)
• February 25, 2010 -- Situational Leadership Theory (0)
• July 28, 2010 -- Leaders Unbalance the Force (0)
• July 27, 2010 -- Book Review: The Intangibles of Leadership (0)

Tags: blanchard, book review, Leadership