LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT YOU

"Even the lion must defend himself against flies."

German proverb

Unfair criticism can be like flies we are unable to swat away.

However not all criticism is unfair.

Learn to graciously accept that which ultimately will help while ignoring that which won't, carefully deciding which is which.

That which hurts the most may also be what helps the most.

LET ME BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS

"Where the law is uncertain there is no law."

Proverb

This applies equally well to rules, requests, orders, instructions, and all other forms of communication managers use with employees.

If it's not specific it doesn't exist, and when that happens, it's the manager's, not the employee's, fault. 

GOOD ADVICE ASSUMING YOU TAKE IT

"If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error."

Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States

Paraphrasing: If you wish to learn how to improve yourself but are unwilling to change your ways, those you wish to learn from will quickly give up on you.

CONSULTANT HINDSIGHT

"Last week is the time you should have either bought or sold, depending on what you didn't do."

Unknown

There's nothing worse than telling others what they should have done/not done after what they did/didn't do is past, other than doing so vaguely.

If your consultation and recommendations are not specific, in advance of whatever they're about, they, and you, are of little value.

I know; I've occasionally been guilty of hindsight consultation.

THE PERILS OF PARTIAL ENTRENEURISM

"Definition of an entrepreneur: One who is willing to live a few years like most people won't, so they can live the rest of their life like most people can't."

Unknown

One of the best partial descriptions of an entrepreneur I've ever come across.

However if you're contemplating doing something on your own or with others, with none of you having attempted a startup before, beware!

It is only a partial description alluding to the good stuff.

There's good reason most people won't try what you're thinking of doing.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try; only admonishment to get experienced help before you begin.

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO

"Counsel woven into the fabric of real life is wisdom."

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) German philosopher

The best advice is that based on real experience.

Trust that coming from those who've been where you want to go.

CONSULTANT ADVICE

"Consult. To seek another's approval of a course already decided on."

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) American newspaperman/short-story writer

Here's my consultation.

Don't employ any consultant, me included, unless you are willing to do what we recommend.

Particularly actions you may not intend or want to do.

To do otherwise is simply wasting your money.

DOING THE UNDOABLE

"When one is trying to do something beyond his known powers it is useless to seek the approval of friends. Friends are at their best in moments of defeat."

Henry Miller

20th century American author

Because being beyond your known powers means the only conclusion your friends can reach is that you will fail.

Maybe so, maybe not.

Consider what they have to say but don't base your decision solely on that.

(I Should) Do As I Say Not As I Do

"Successful men follow the same advice they prescribe for others."

Unknown

True, assuming the advice we give to others is worth following in the first place.

That's Right!

"Whatever advice you give, be brief."

Horace

1st century BC Roman poet

I agree.

Just Tell Me I'm Right

"We ask advice but we mean approbation."

Charles Caleb Colton

18th century British clergy/author

As a consultant, I can attest to this.

What is your ratio of advice asked for/accepted?

She Knows!

"Counsel woven into the fiber of real life is wisdom."

Walter Benjamin

Early 20th century German philosopher

And wisdom is exactly what you'll get from Andrea Belz.

Meet her up close and personal to see how true that is.

Join her for her book launch party 7:00 PM, Friday December 10 at:

Vroman's Bookstore

695 E. Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, Cal 91101

Consultant to Self

"To advise is not to compel."

German proverb

And no one should better know this than a consultant.

Like our mothers before us, our job is to give advice, the majority of which will never be taken.

The Value of Consultants

"Good counselors lack no clients."

William Shakespeare

Do you suppose he was talking about consultants?

If so, my capability apparently varies one day to the next.

How about you?

Management Myopia, What To Do

"I have done that", says my memory. "I cannot have done that", says my pride, and remains adamant. At last, memory yields."

Friedrich Nietzsche
19th century German Philosopher

I heard a song this morning with a line about old men playing cards, drinking beer, "lying about their lives."

Old guys sitting around, embellishing past accomplishments is one thing, but in business, being too out of touch with reality can be disastrous.

All the more reason to have objective voices telling us what they think of what we do and say.

Do you? Do you listen to them?

Accepting Help

"He that won't be counseled, can't be helped."

Benjamin Franklin

Is there any among us who would not occasionally benefit from the help of someone else?

We all are paid for what we know and know how to do but none of us knows it all.

How open are you to the counsel of others?