This entry in Ken Blanchard's One Minute Manager Library uses the narrative style that has for better or worse become standard in business literature to teach `situational leadership' in terms of flexibility, diagnosis, and partnering.

Blanchard's style tends toward the simple rather than the complicated side of the leadership menu and so his popular books are short and broken into bite-sized chapters, usually based upon one of his trademark sayings.

The `situational' in `situational leadership' means that Blanchard wants to coach a leader who can vary his style based upon the situation he encounters. The idea is not to produce an automaton of managerial efficiency, but rather a human being who is wise. This latter aspect of his program may have increased in recent years. The book under review dates from 1985, but wisdom under other names is already a desirable feature, even if it emerges at this early date more as a technical ability than a character virtue.

I find this little entry to be a refreshing reminder to step back and understand the human being whom one is `managing' when much of my leadership reading focuses--properly, I think--on the person of the leader. Blanchard reminds us between the lines of Leadership and the One Minute Manager that we manage human beings and that we do so for some reason larger than ourselves. Their competence and attitude vary from week to week and from task and so, therefore, should our managerial interaction with them.

That alone is worth the read.

This is by far my favorite Blanchard book. Situational Leadership is now MY leadership style!

I am a fan of the One Minute Manager series, having read "The One Minute Manager" and the "The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey." This book tells the story of an "entrepreneur" who seeks advice from the One Minute Manager. In the process, it covers the basics of situational leadership in a concise, easy to read style. The text covers the four basic leadership styles -- directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating. It also discusses matching a leadership style appropriate for various development levels. Like the other One Manager Manager books, I see myself re-reading and referencing this text. Highly recommended.

Always a great fan of Ken Blanchard, I find this book with its Teaching Techniques to the Leaders who need to understand the basic style of 'Treat Right' to its employees and not walk blind to the belief 'Everyone should be treated Equally'. One Minute Manager hit the stands but this book has additional skills to increasing Effectiveness through situational leadership.The authors focus on enhanced motivation to individual employees and apply better management skills to get the most desired results from them. To begin with 'Goal Setting' brings in a commitment for accompliment and make the individual understand their duties to reach target goals. Written in a conversational manner, easy to read and understand, the book makes manager bring out the best by 'Be competitive and commited' motto. Like a stand-by Guide to Leaders, the contents help Leaders to derive best performance. How to delegate, support and direct them is the key factor that nevertheless motivates for better fruitful results. Apart from this book, I also recommend 'First Break All the Rules'. A good Pick for any Leader and to be used as quick reference and must to be on office-bookshelf. Nice Guide.