There are many simple beliefs we fall back upon to guide us through our professional and private lives.
Let me offer a dozen thoughts I have regularly seen to be relevant. 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
- 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
- Never venture down a path without knowing options
- Profoundly understand the nature of your business
- Look to Nature, Culture and Experiences to decipher interactions
- Support through difficulty builds greater trust
Here are two more thoughts that were deliberately offered to me by others many years ago and which I have always seen as profound. They are:
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. (A well-known and almost homespun saying!)
Everything is important, just not awfully
I have seen hundreds of such snippets over the years. Many prove to be variations on others, or often do not possess the same frequent relevance.
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