Book Review: The one minute manager meets the monkey

Author: Kasper B. Graversen, 26/01/09
Keywords: BookReview, ProjectManagement
Abstract: Book review of "The one minute manager meets the monkey" by Kenneth Blanchard, William Oncken Jr., and Hal Burrows.
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Book Review: The one minute manager meets the monkey

Overall: The book is entertaining, thoughtful and down to earth. You won't find a lot of theory here, the strong side of the book is all the real-life problem scenarios and solutions that are sprinkled throughout the book, making it relevance to most people. It's available for a bargain, so get one now!

Although the book is from 1989 it shouldn't deter you. It hasn't gone out of fashion. I can say this with some confidence, having worked in several countries in Europe, I have some experience with management under the belt. I've met many people focusing on managing their manager rather than doing their job. What better way to manage the manager than to constantly seek his guidance on everything? The manager will be flattered that you want his help, while at the same time be the one to take the fall if things go astray. Or the reverse situation: Insecure bosses like to be involved, so that fewer "errors" occur.

It's tough to work for a nervous boss,
especially if you are the one who's making your boss nervous!
— P. 18

So who is this book relevant to? Every manager that has made the following observation (p. 22) Why is it that some managers are typically running out of time while their staffs are typically running out of work?. In other words, is a "MUST READ" for any manager who's feeling their quality life is being wrecked by too much work.

According to the book, the answer is straight forward, the manager is having problems with monkeys. You now the phrase "a monkey on ones back" referring to problems in general! The manager is simply not properly delegating work to his staff. Let us illustrate with an example:
In the hallway, a co-worker informally addresses a problem to his a manager. The manager takes interest in the problem, and quickly the dialogue has become a 10-20 minute session, which is abruptly interrupted due to more pressing things (planned meetings etc). The discussion ends with the manager saying "I don't have any more time now, let me think about it and get back to you". And so began a vicious circle. The co-worker now has one less problem to take care of, and the manager one more.

Why did the manager take the problem (the monkey)? Because he wanted to. He wanted to do good, solve problems and take responsibility. He's a do'er. In fact many managers are compulsive monkey pick-uppers and do-gooders.

The book is a guide to Monkey management, that is on how to reach noble goals of a do-gooder, but do it with co-workers, not on your own and to realize that in the process of constantly helping others inevitably they were crippling those they were trying to help by making the dependent on you. And the more a co-worker becomes dependent on his manager, the more his self esteem and confidence erode. This inevitally hurts productivity.

The core theory of the book is the four steps of monkey management.
  1. Description: Problem must be described and appropriate "next moves" must be identified and specified.
  2. Assignment: All monkeys must be owned and handled by the lowest organizational level possible. The best way to develop responsibility in people is to give them responsibility, but must be assigned in accordance to prior performance of the people, and assignment must be healthy for the person.
  3. Insurance: Insure proper problem resolution. Being confident in a co-worker allows for more freedom in which they can menovour
  4. Check-up: No monkey must be left without a check-up date.
Hence when someone approaches you with a "we've got a problem...", per reflects, you must reply, "no, there is a problem, we must find out if it is yours or mine. If it's yours, I'll help you only on the condition, that it remains your problem at all time".

In summary

The book may not be theoretically heavy, but with both its legs solid planted on the ground, dealing with every day problems, its relaxed and fun approach makes it a very nice (and quick) read. It may alter your entire perception of what it entails being a manager and ultimately may create a better working atmosphere at work!

Beginners 5/5 A good quick read with many practical situations making the principles easier to identify and practice.
Intermediate 3/5The book may serve as a fun opportunity to reflect upon your management style. Especially, if you have performance problem as the books author had.
Advanced 2/5Not an amazing book with next to no management theory.
Table caption: The Review scores...



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