Dr. Ken Blanchard is a well-known leader in business, and teaches seminars related to being an effective manager and leader. I think his work has great connection to teachers, principals and anyone who leads. His book, The One Minute Manager, has sold 16 million copies over the last 15 years and is incredibly powerful because of the simplicity of the concepts. Let's take a minute to look at how we can apply his idea of praise, reprimand and re-direction in classrooms and schools.

Praise is essential. How many of us hear or think to ourselves, "Wow, I wish the people around me (my students, colleagues, parents) would stop appreciating me ... there's just too much appreciation around here!" Doesn't that sound a little crazy? Let's face it, we all want acknowledgment and appreciation for what we do; it's human nature and it's fun to be noticed for a job well done. Even better, it's fun to give praise. Whether you are a teacher or a principal, wandering around the classroom or school building to purposefully notice "the positive" has lasting effects. As a principal, I recall writing notes of praise to teachers, staff and students. The best part was that months or even years later I'd be in that classroom and see the note posted near the teacher's desk, or sometimes in a frame. Noticing what is positive (or, as Ken would say, the power of praise) can be instrumental in shifting school culture.

Now, let's say you're walking around the classroom or school and you see behavior that requires a reprimand. Ken says, "Communicate the reprimand in a minute or less." Try to communicate the reprimand with economy of language. Use OTFD (from Level 4 of Quantum Learning for Teachers training) as a guide. For example, I observed ... . It makes me think ... . I feel ... . What I would like to have happen (desire) is ... . It is important to reprimand in private, not in front of others, and remember to follow a reprimand with an affirmation.

Possibly the most important concept to remember in a reprimand situation is to focus on the behavior and not the person. Ken said in an interview with Bill Hybles, "People are beautiful; it's their behavior that sometimes gets in the way."
 Think about that belief and how it can work in our daily interactions. Focus on the best in people and know that sometimes their behavior doesn't match their best ?but the behavior can and will shift with considerate re-direction.

I encourage you to check out The One Minute Manager by Dr. Ken Blanchard.

WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU ...
We welcome any contributions to QL Club including topics of interest, questions you have, stories of QL in your classroom, and what's working for you. Send your comments to: jgomez@QLN.com.

The purpose of the QL Club is to continue to look for what works as we deepen our understanding, practice ideas, and develop mastery of skills in QL and as professional educators.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of your students and staff!