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The Secret

In this episode - The Secret . . .

This year, we started a podcast series reviewing books that have influenced my life and management style. I want to introduce you to "The Secret: What Great Leaders Know — And Do" by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller. This book outlines several management principles that are crucial for effective team leadership.

Here's a summary of these principles:

Blanchard & Miller prioritize the well-being and development of their team members through Servant Leadership. A great leader serves their employees and creates a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. “How do you do it?" can be answered by elaborating on five key objectives.

  • S – See the future
  • E – Engage and Develop Others
  • R – Reinvent Continuously
  • V – Value Results and Relationships
  • E – Embody the Values

 Leadership is an Influence Process: Leadership is not about authority but influence. Effective leaders influence their teams positively by setting a compelling vision and inspiring others to follow.


Vision and Mission: Leaders must have a clear organizational vision and mission. They should communicate this vision to their team, aligning everyone toward common goals.


In "The One Minute Manager," Blanchard introduced the "One Minute Manager" concept. This approach involves providing clear goals and expectations, praising and reprimanding employees quickly and privately, and building strong relationships with team members.


Situational Leadership: Leaders should adapt their leadership style to the specific needs of their team members and the situation at hand. This means being flexible and recognizing when to provide direction, coaching, support, or delegation.


Setting SMART Goals: Leaders should help their team members set (SMART) goals–Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound to ensure clarity and accountability.

  • S – Specific.
  • M – Measurable.
  • A – Achievable.
  • R – Relevant.
  • T – Time-bound.

Leadership Trust Bank: Leaders build trust by making deposits into a "trust bank" through consistent actions, reliability, and integrity. Trust is crucial for effective leadership.


Feedback and Communication: Effective leaders provide regular feedback to their team members, both in terms of praise for good performance and constructive criticism for improvement. They also emphasize open and honest communication.


When asked, “What motivates you at work?” Employees identified seven key factors.

  • My goals were clear.
  • I was well trained.
  • I had the information I needed.
  • My boss had confidence in me.
  • My boss was there when I needed help.
  • I was making a contribution.
  • We were all learning and growing.

Self-Leadership: Leaders must first lead themselves effectively, demonstrating the behaviors and values they expect from their team. Self-awareness and personal growth are essential.


Catch People Doing Things Right: Blanchard encourages leaders to actively look for and acknowledge their team members' positive behaviors and accomplishments. This reinforces desired behaviors.


Empowerment and Delegation: Great leaders empower their team members by delegating authority and responsibility. This fosters a sense of ownership and encourages innovation.


Building a High-Performance Team: Leaders create high-performing teams by selecting the right people, providing clear goals and roles, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.


These management principles from "The Secret" provide a framework for leaders to enhance their leadership skills and create a positive and productive work environment. Blanchard's emphasis on servant leadership and adaptability are central to this philosophy of effective leadership.


My listening friends, this book is available in its 10th Anniversary Edition; click the following link: The Secret: What Great Leaders Know — And Do" by Ken Blanchard & Mark Miller. 


I’m Patrick Ball. Thanks for listening! See you in the next episode.

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