The one minute manager, Ken Blanchard, reminds us in this practical book that a true performance management system is one that is built on partnership rather than evaluation. The sub-title of the book expresses this in one simple statement: “Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.” His definitive work, Leading At A Higher Level, explains that this is a core discipline for leading your team to become a high performing organization.
Helping People Win at Work is the first in the Leading at a Higher Level series of books. They are designed to expound on the principles contained within the master book while giving a true, living, and in-depth example of the principles in practice. Garry Ridge, President and CEO of the WD-40 Company, joins Blanchard in describing the key elements of partnering for performance. The essence of the principle is that managers are just as responsible for team member’s success as each is for his or her own results.
The manager’s job begins with setting clear and concise goals, plans, performance standards, and expectations for each person. The next step is day-to-day coaching to ensure that they succeed. Blanchard and Ridge point out that this is where most managers fail. The final step is to formalize the process during a learning/review session (instead of the traditional evaluation only review). Garry Ridge at WD-40 Company has embraced this philosophy in such a practical way. He details a step-by-step practical process in how he achieves the partnership in performance that has driven his organization to higher levels of success. Blanchard wraps of the book with 12 simple truths about human performance and the need for giving the final exam at the beginning of the period rather than waiting until the end.
The Concept in Short:
Treat your people the right way and they will return the favor to your customers and your business.
Book Details:
- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: FT Press; 1 edition (May 8, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0137011717
- ISBN-13: 978-0137011711
