There are many simple beliefs we fall back upon to guide us through our professional and private lives.

We all try to keep things simple, so we can operate effectively. As a result we embrace favorite ideas, principles and core beliefs to guide us though.

Everyone develops and holds innate core beliefs, but not everyone builds on the same foundations.

Let me offer several collected thoughts I have regularly seen to be repeatedly relevant in business. In no particular order, they are:

• A leader owns all problems until guidance is complete

• A problem noticed is worth investigation. Repeated symptoms should cause alarm

• Winners sense danger early and react appropriately

• Relationships should begin with respect and support

• Listen often and actively to unearth opportunities

• Nobody learns until they are ready

• Demand honesty and integrity from all, just don’t rely on it from others

• Be hard on the problem, not the person. And, know the difference

• Everyone brings value if the right position exists

• Know your downstream options before venturing on a path

• Profoundly understand the nature of your business

• Look to Nature, Culture and Experiences to decipher interactions with others

• Always respect, check and leverage your instincts

• Support and sharing through adversity builds trust

Here are two more thoughts that were deliberately offered to me by others many years ago which I have always seen as profound and particularly worthy of careful consideration. They are:

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. (A well-known and almost homespun saying!)

Everything is important, just not awfully

We have all seen hundreds of such snippets over the years. Many prove to be variations on others, or often do not possess the insightful relevance of those listed above.

Here’s hoping these particular thoughts resonate you.

If you have a favorite you’d like to pass along, feel free to share.

Ian R. Mackintosh is the author of Empower Your Inner Manager Twitter @ianrmackintosh