Self
Leadership and the One Minute Manager : Increasing Effectiveness Through
Situational Self Leadership, by Ken Blanchard, Susan Fowler, Lawrence Hawkins.
www.kenblanchard.com
Hardcover: 176 pages; Publisher: William Morrow (May 24, 2005); ISBN:
0060799129. Self Leadership and
the One Minute Manager clearly and thoroughly reveals how power, freedom,
and autonomy come from having the right mind-set and the skills needed to take
personal responsibility for success. “Ultimately,
it's in your own best interest to accept responsibility for getting what you
need to succeed.” Self leadership
can be achieved by practising three skills: challenge assumed constraints;
celebrate your points of power; collaborate for success. Self leaders require
different levels of direction and support as they consolidate their competence
and commitment at each stage of their development. We
can empower ourselves by utilising the guidance and support of our peers. For
such a small book & such a fast read this was a powerful book. It has life
changing lessons that I plan to implement in my every day. I highly recommend
this book to anyone who feels stuck in the life they are in, & let the
lesson begin for your new journey. Discover
the magic of no excuses! [The
following is what I highlighted during my read of this excellent book -- I
recommend it on my Top-ten List of Peace resources. My purpose in
providing them is to interest you, the reader, and hope that you will obtain and
read the complete work. To properly understand the highlights, you need to
read the book to put them in the proper context.]
Introduction
“I want
people who are problem solvers and are willing to take the initiative.
I want people working for me who act like they own the place.”
… like
empowered people …
… want
honesty.
… want
opportunities to constantly learn new skills.
…
managers today, if they are to be effective, must think and act in different
ways.
What’s
the solution? How can we help people
move from a victim mind-set to flourishing as empowered problem solvers and
decision makers?
1. Do
You Believe in Magic?
… a
victim of circumstance … a person who refuses to take responsibility for the
situation he’s in. It’s easier
to blame everyone else around you, rather than taking responsibility for
yourself.
… turn
the problem upside down … so that you’re the one on top.
You are ready for self leadership when you take responsibility for your own success.
The
problem with being empowered is that when things go wrong, you have no excuses.
There’s no one to blame but yourself.
Empowerment is something someone
gives you. Self leadership is what
you do to make it work.
2.
People Are Not Mind Readers
… pass
on the learning to others.
Each of us
has different things that motivate us.
… what
motivates you today may change tomorrow.
Ultimately,
it's in your own best interest to accept responsibility for getting what you
need to succeed …
I
need you to believe in the magic of self leadership.
3. Elephant Thinking
… no
boss can know and provide the motivation that every individual needs.
…
creating a work environment that is motivating to us.
An ‘Assumed
Constraint’ is a belief you have, based on past experience, that limits
your current and future experiences.
…
greatest gift is to know your own mind.
The
First Trick of a Self Leader: Challenge Assumed Constraints!
How could
he open their minds?
4.
Cycles of Power
… all
the negative stereotypes we have about power today …
… I feel
powerless …
Because
I’m not in a position to get people to do what I want them to do…
Don’t
buy into the assumed constraint that position power is the only power that
works.
…
knowing the system … is an important point of power.
…
knowledge power.
…
personal power … ability to give assurance to people …
…
relationship power.
…
cultivating those relationships and simply asking for leads.
You
don’t have to agree with everything … just take it into account.
… task
power.
…
position power.
“The
only way in which anyone can lead you is to restore to you the belief in your
own guidance.” Henry Miller
The 5
Points of Power: Position Power, Knowledge Power, Task Power, Relationship
Power, Personal Power.
You need
to know the nature of your strengths – your power – before you can lead
yourself.
…
cultivate them. …
“The
sole advantage of power is ability to do more good.”
Balthazar Gracian
The
Second Trick of Self Leadership: Celebrate Your Points of Power.
5.
Diagnose Yourself
Commitment
is measured by your motivation and confidence about the goal.
Competence
– to increase your competence to achieve a goal, you need:
Direction from someone who will:
Commitment
– to build your commitment to achieve a goal, you need:
Support from someone who will:
… what
to ask for at each development level.
When your
competence is low, you need direction; when your commitment is low, you need
support.
6.
Getting What You Need
The Needs
Model:
7.
Running Together
You asked
for help and that takes strength. It’s
hard to turn someone down who knows what they need.
When Goals
work out, it is usually because you instinctively take the initiative to be a
self leader and get what you need to succeed.
There is
magic in diagnosing your development level and getting the direction and support
you need to achieve your goal.
The
Third Trick of Self Leadership: Collaborate for Success!
8. No
Excuses
…
leverage your partnership and come up with a plan …
… get
the feedback …
The two
most powerful words to collaborate for success are: “I need”.
When you
use the ‘I need’ phrase, you’re coming from a position of strength.
You’ve thought about what it’s going to take to succeed and are
requesting a person’s help. It’s
amazing, but human beings love to feel needed.
They love to think they can help you.
‘I need’ is very compelling.
Don’t
get derailed by disillusionment!
A leader
is anyone who can give you the support and direction you need to achieve your
goal.
9. One
Minute Magic
Self
leaders:
Challenge Assumed Constraints,
Celebrate Their Points of Power,
And Collaborate For Success.
Teach
other the magic of self leadership.