One Minute Reprimands is the third secret of the [[A One Minute Manager]]'s approach. This technique focuses on addressing and correcting poor performance or mistakes as soon as they occur.
# Purpose
By using One Minute Reprimands, you can effectively correct poor performance or mistakes, while still maintaining the dignity and self-esteem of your team members. Remember, the goal is not to berate or demoralize, but to help your team members learn and grow from their mistakes.
# Technique
1. **Observe Performance:** Just like with One Minute Praisings, you need to actively observe your team's performance to catch any errors or mistakes promptly.
2. **Address Immediately:** As soon as you notice a mistake, address it immediately. Don't let too much time pass before bringing it up, as this may dilute the impact of your feedback.
3. **Be Specific:** Clearly explain what the mistake was. Avoid attacking the person; focus on the behavior or the result instead.
4. **Express Feelings:** Share how the mistake makes you feel. This personal touch can drive home the seriousness of the issue without resorting to personal attacks.
5. **Pause for Impact:** After delivering your reprimand, pause for a moment to let the message sink in.
6. **Reaffirm the Person:** Reinforce that you think well of them but not of their performance in this situation. This helps to separate the person from their behavior and encourages them to do better.
# Example
Let's say a team member has missed a deadline recently.
- **Observe Performance:** You've noticed a missed deadline from this team member.
- **Address Immediately:** As soon as the deadline is missed, you address the issue with them.
- **Be Specific:** You say, "I've noticed that you missed a deadline. This has delayed our project and put additional pressure on the rest of the team."
- **Express Feelings:** You add, "I'm disappointed because I know you're capable of much better."
- **Pause for Impact:** You pause for a moment to let your message sink in.
- **Reaffirm the Person:** You finish by saying, "I believe in your abilities and I know you can meet your deadlines. Let's work on improving this."