Day 2: The One Minute Manager – Simple Structure, Big Impact
Clear expectations. Timely feedback. Respectful accountability.
On Day 2 of our 5 Days, 4 Books series, we’re diving into The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson—a slim but powerful book that offers a straightforward approach to managing people (and ourselves) more effectively. Whether you're running a multi-person crew or just trying to navigate tough conversations with family on the farm, the lessons in this book help take the awkwardness out of reviews and put clarity at the center of your team culture.
If your goal is to build trust, boost performance, and keep communication fast and effective—this one’s for you.
Image from Real Ag Stock
Empowering Your Farm Team with The One Minute Manager
How Simple, Structured Communication Can Strengthen Productivity and Trust
“People are most productive when they know clearly what is expected of them.”
— Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
Do you perform employee or owner reviews on your farm? Why or why not? Perhaps it feels awkward or you’re just not sure of how to structure those conversations. If you work entirely with family and tension already exists, the idea of formal feedback sounds like pouring gas on a fire. If your team includes non-family employees, it can be tough to be fully open—especially when it comes to financial goals or job performance. And let’s be honest: in a tight labor market, you don’t want to risk offending a decent worker, even if their performance is half a bubble off.
In all these situations, a little intentional communication and assuming people have good intentions can help ward off the very things we’re most concerned about.
In 2025, I was invited by Shay Foulk to attend an event hosted by Fractal and his AgView Solutions team. While there, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman who owns and operates a local energy company in central Illinois. We got talking about business and leadership, and I asked him how he gives feedback to his team and helps them succeed in their roles to keep the business moving forward.
His answer? The One Minute Manager.
This little book is just under 100 pages, printed in big font, and a quick read. I’d recommend grabbing a copy—it’s worth the small investment. You can probably find it used on Amazon for under $10 with Prime shipping. The authors tell the story of a person being introduced to the One Minute Manager framework, which helps explain not just what it is, but why it works. In my opinion, it’s a great fit for farms looking to add structure without overcomplicating things.
Key Principles from The One Minute Manager
One Minute Goals
Set clear, specific goals that can be reviewed in about a minute.
Collaborate on them. Let your employee know exactly what success looks like. Then review these goals regularly together.
Example:
“All tractors are serviced on schedule by checking all hour meters weekly.”
One Minute Praising’s
“People who feel good about themselves produce good results.” — Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
Catch people doing things right—and tell them immediately. Praise reinforces positive behavior and builds morale.
Example:
An employee sees something out of place, even outside their responsibility, and takes the initiative to fix it or alert you.
One Minute Reprimands
When things go wrong, address them quickly and clearly. Focus on the behavior—not the person. Be honest, but respectful.
Example:
An employee misses a key step. Let them know the impact, reaffirm expectations, and move forward with trust.
Empower Through Trust and Clarity
Farm managers don’t succeed by doing it all alone—they succeed by helping others succeed. The One Minute Manager approach fosters a culture of respect, accountability, and clarity. Whether you’re working with family or hired staff, clear communication and trust are essential tools in growing both your people and your business.
Garret Brown
Founder | Market Advisor
Having grown up on a farm, Garret respects the wide range of skills needed to run a successful operation and recognizes farmers are often stretched thin trying to do it all. This understanding, along with his affinity for markets, fuels his drive to make tough marketing decisions simpler for farmers.
Leveraging his experience in grain origination and margin management, Garret analyzes technical and fundamental market information. With the assistance of CODAK’s algorithmic signaling platform, he puts together buy/sell recommendations while working with the CODAK team to create strategies that accommodate each farmer’s personal risk tolerance, on-farm storage capacity, and break-evens.