Marc's Weblog

Carolyn Turkovich's Simple Rules for Management, 2002

1. Practice good manners. That doesn't always mean being polite. It means making others feel comfortable where they are. Meet folks where they are and they'll meet you where you're trying to go.

2. Go with your gut.

3. Keep it simple. Don't overcomplicate things.

4. Be patient. Reward the small things. Change takes time. Always know where people are in the transition process.

5. Timing is everything. Write down your ideas, formalize them, and then bring them out when the time is right.

6. Always take time to say thank you��even for the little things��tell people how you use what they give you.

7. Don't bail people out��ask questions and let them figure out the answers and support and praise them when they do it�..even if they're wrong. Advise�.don't do.

8. Ask lots of questions. Work the gap. Keep asking why. Ask the tough questions.

9. Trust the process. Be patient. It always works.

10. Expect the best and don't settle for less. Never settle for what is.

11. Create influence through relationships. Take time to do the soft stuff.

12. Always make a picture out of the puzzle pieces. It's all relative. Always capture the vision and then link everything to it. If the pieces don't fit you're working on the wrong puzzle.

13. Do the edgework�.make people stretch. Push them to frustration if necessary and then stop the activity. Do a "round" to ask for feelings. Do another "round" to ask what it would take to get rid of their feelings. They know. Then help them do what it takes.

14. Listen. Listen again. Synthesize what you hear.

15. Help people connect the dots. Help them again. Watch with a grin when they do it themselves the next time.

16. Create subtle structure. Always work the gap.

17. Trust everyone.

18. Do things for the right reasons. Make sure you always have reasons.

19. Take no credit. You didn't accomplish things alone. Someone once said about leadership: "When all is said and done, people with think they've done it themselves."

20. Find you passion. Help others find theirs. Then go for the big stuff.

21. If you think it say it. But remember timing is everything.

22. Hold people accountable. Keep them above the line (blame game). Always ask what they have control of and coach them to take control of what they can control. Do the same yourself. No whining.

23. Clarify expectations for yourself and others. Clarify roles. Create an environment where people can be successful and meet the expectations.

24. Reward creativity and innovation. Break the unwritten rules.

25. Think. And then think again.

26. Encourage mistakes.

27. Take risks.

28. Think in terms of the solution. Then find the other solutions. One is better than another.

29. Focus on the long term. That's the right solution.

30. Always work the gap.

31. Work the room. Build relationships anytime you can.

32. Think about what can be. Do what it takes to get there.

33. Think. Act. Do. Practice in all domains. To leave one out limits potential.

34. Be honest. Sometimes the tough questions and the tough feedback are what ultimately makes the difference.