Sunday, August 3, 2008

30 Blinding Flashes of the Obvious - 2nd Edition - 5 at a time

21. Focus on Functions, Not on Form
Peter Vaill has pointed out how important it is to be clear on the job to be done, but to be very flexible on the way to do that job. Leadership is not a position. It is a process where leadership and followership is a seamless web. Without followership, leadership always fails. Leaders and followers determine each others' success. Today you lead, tomorrow you follow, and vice versa.
22. Fight the Temptation to Get Even
If someone does something to you that is mean spirited, think of it as his or her problem not your problem. Trying to get even seldom works, lacks dignity, and makes you look petty and mean spirited. You can never get ahead by getting even.
23. Focus on Goals Not Process
It is important to be clear about the job to be done but to be very flexible about the way you do the job.
24. Be a Blame Acceptor
If something goes wrong within the organization that you lead, you must be willing to accept the blame even though you personally may be only a tiny part of the failure. Too many bosses try to blame others, especially their subordinates. By doing so, they often lose the respect of their people and their bosses.
25. Establish Self-Reinforcing Relationships
Praise and support those who can move smoothly from competition to cooperation. Encourage those who find solutions that reconcile the opposites. The French have it right in their national motto - "liberty, equality, and fraternity."

Shared with me by Major General Perry Smith, an American patriot.

All 60 Tips in a Single Document !!

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