Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called "Don't Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A"

I was very critical, going into this book. "Don't Mark My Paper, Show Me How to Get an A" sounds like a cop-out mentality that doesn't work in the classroom -- if you just show a student what he needs to do to get an A in your class, you're not teaching -- you're just showing them the easiest way to get through the class; and that doesn't promote learning, just wrote memorization.However, the philosophy works well with management, and explains a lot of why most management is so horrible to begin with. Every job I've been to, end-of-year reviews are exactly that -- management doesn't care about what you're doing unless something goes wrong, or when they have to review you. What goes on the rest of the year as far as employee development? Nothing, for most companies. It's really a required mental shift between reactive and proactive management. This book does a good job at explaining why companies have high turnover, undedicated employees, and unproductive stats.However, this book could have been condensed considerably, and keeps reiterating the same thing over and over again. Still worth reading. Plan to be frustrated, when you're reading, when you see examples of poor management culture that you can't help but be familiar with!

Ken Blanchard's books always cause me to ask, "Why didn't I think of that?!?" He writes in such a way that seems so practical and so applicable, that it would seem like common sense practice. But as we all know, common sense is not always that common! In "Helping People Win At Work," Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge do it again.The sub-title of the book is based on a program Garry instituted in his company: Don't mark my paper, help me get an A. And the idea is quite simple: Let's tell our employees/kids/students what we're looking for right up front, and then help them earn an A. Instead of performance reviews or tests being uncertain in their outcome, let's make sure everyone knows what's coming and how they can "pass" the test. This removes the uncertainty and the anxiety, and increases morale and productivity.Simple! Common sense! And very rare.It goes back to Ken Blanchard's great statement, "Let's catch people doing something right." Most bosses/parents/teachers try to catch people doing something wrong. But this approach only reinforces the negative, and makes everyone shy away from the one in authority.I highly recommend this easy-to-read (and even easier-to-apply) book to employers, teachers, and parents. It is well worth your time to apply these principles.

When we graduate from the classroom and move into the work world, mysteriously the relationship we have known all our lives of teacher and student vanishes. We look for mentors in the workplace, but all too often find instead supervisors, managers, and executives who would prefer to critic our performance and deliver a grade, than spend time helping us learn how to do our jobs better. This wonderful, easy to read book offers a new perspective for anyone who manages people - "Don't Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A." Isn't that what your very best teachers and professors did for you throughout your education? Maybe you were lucky enough to have parents do the same? Did they teach you life lessons and help you succeed? Success breeds success. If the people who work for you succeed, so too will you. Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge will make you want to become a tribal leader!

Working as an executive for large companies, I always felt that employee reviews were not only a waste of time, but often created unnecessary conflict and seldom had positive outcomes. The system proposed here by the authors makes great sense especially when used as an action item to resolve some of the issues raised by the Gallup Employee Engagement Survey (Q12). Examples: "I know what is expected from me at work; "In the last six months, someone at work has talked with me about my progress." These are issues that, when dealt with, will dramatically improve employee engagement and Garry Ridge's system deals quite effectively with them.I see that WD-40 has achieved a 94% employee engagement work. When you have that level of engagement, everything is possible.

The three sections written by Garry Ridge were interesting, if a little wordy. I felt like a lot of his philosophy was common sense, but I know many managers who fail to employ such common sense. I would recommend adding this to their bookshelves.The section written by Ken Blanchard was mostly commentary on Mr. Ridge's philosophy and a lot of plugging his own books. I feel like my time would have been better spent discussing Mr. Ridge's philosophy with my colleagues than reading the final section of the book.Fair warning: there are a lot of buzzwords--tribe, Situational Leadership, etc. They do get overwhelming at times. It's important to remember to take any leadership book as advice, not gospel, so if those buzzwords don't fit (like calling your team a 'tribe'), you can still employ the aspects of Mr. Ridge's philosophy that will be beneficial to you and your team.

Attila the hun practices belong to his time in the world, not our time - we have the privelege of nuturing and growing our our individual team members' possibilies, drawing out their best selves so that we deliver superlative results as well as bringing out the best in our people. This is simple to read and apply - start your journey bringing the best out of people - your people will love it and you will love the performance and growth that they sustainably deliver.

I really enjoyed this book! There are many helpful ideas for improving employee morale and overall communication. Like many books of this type, there are parts that seem unrealistic for all work environments. However, unlike many books of this type, the overall theme and concept can be adapted to your business structure and existing culture. I am proof that even if this concept is not developed exactly as it is written - the benefits are still there!!! Enjoy the journey!

Every leader should read this book to boos engagement from their team.

I have attended the situational leadership course by Ken Blenchard. This book explains how you bring the concepts of situational leadership and performance together to allow people to soar. I would recommend this book to anybody who has to do annual performance reviews, even if there is a good system in place to better understand a more effective way of attaining and setting goals, including personal ones.

Really helpful book with a good way of looking at the manager's role. Caring and Candour are the key words to helping people achieve.

This book is an easy read and lays out a great case for better goal-setting, communication and feedback in the workplace. Garry Ridge does an excellent job of explaining the success they have experienced at WD-40 Company and how they have adopted Blanchard's philosophy of helping each employee get an A in their performance review. I have added this book to my core recommended reading library of business books.