One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey

I have spent over two decades working in Corporate America. I can remember many Friday evenings as my staff stopped by my door and said good night and asked ,e what I was going to do that weekend. I would look at the piles on my desk and simply say, "I am working." As I looked out the window and watch my staff laughing and getting into their cars, I realized something was wrong with this picture. It should be me getting in my car waving goodbye to my staff. At that moment I knew that it was their work I was doing and not just mind. Come Monday morning, things were going to change! Big time. And they did. I gave my staff's work back to them and I sat back and grinned.

At that time I did not realize that what I did was give my staff's "monkey's" back to them until I recently I read the book "The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey" by Kenneth Balanchard, William Oncken, Jr. and Hal Burrows. Then I realized this is what happened to me. Is it happening to you?

What is a monkey? A monkey is the next step in a project or a problem; it is not a project or a problem; the Monkey is whatever the next move is on a project or problem.

Who owns the monkey? The person who is responsible for the next step or move in the project or problem. For every monkey there are two parties involved: One to work it and one to supervise it.

When you take the monkey away from a person, in essence what you are saying is “You’re not capable of handling this problem so I had better take care of it myself.”

Monkey-picker-uppers are those who dis-empower the rightfully responsible people by taking on the responsibility themselves. This cripples those very people they are trying to help by making them dependent.

Returning the Monkeys: This is when you re-empower the staff to take charge of their own projects or problems. Firmly attach your people’s monkeys to their backs.

“The more you get rid of your people’s monkeys [on your back], the more time you have for your people [because you are free to supervise, train, and mentor].”

Rules of Monkey Management:

Rule #1: Describe the Monkey: a boss and a staff member shall not part company until the appropriate “next moves” have been described.

Rule #2: Assign the Monkey: the dialogue between boss and staff member must not end until ownership of each monkey is assigned to a person. All monkeys shall be owned at the lowest organizational level consistent with their welfare.

Myths that keep the monkeys on your back: “If you want it done right you have to do it yourself.” “You just can’t get good help these days.” This one is just too hot for my staff to handle.” “My boss expects me to do this one.” “I just want to keep my hand in.” “It’s easier to do it than to delegate it.”
Beware of Monkeys Straddling Between Two People: Look out for the word “we”. “We’ve got a problem.

Watch Out for Upward-leaping Monkeys: Look out for staff who incomplete their work and want you to finish it. Example: incomplete letter or proposal.

Rule #3: Insure the Monkey: every monkey leaving your presence on the back of one of your people must be covered by one of two insurance policies:
1. Recommend, then act
2. Act, then advise

Rule #4: Check on the Monkey: Every monkey should have a checkup appointment. Proper follow-up means healthier monkeys.

Periodic Monkey Checkups tend to highlight the existence of problems and limit their costs by allowing a boss to detect the problem and see that it is corrected. Sick or starving monkeys show a boss lack of progress – boss move up the monkey’s checkup appointment.

Hope these tips will help you to avoid picking up monkey's who are not yours.

Passionately Speaking,
Arvee Robinson
Monkey Manager

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