WHAT IT IS, NOT WHOSE FAULT IT IS

"It is wise to direct your anger towards problems - not people; to focus your energies on answers - not excuses."

William Arthur Ward, 20th century American writer.

While easy to get angry with the person(s) you believe caused the problem, that's just a distraction.

Identify the issue(s) that need correction and move on to the solution. 

If that involves people, so be it, but don't start with that or end with assigning blame.

That's not a solution.

THE PAPER TIGER MANAGER

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."

Saint Francis de Sales, 16th century bishop of Geneva.

Substituting "powerful" for "strong" and "power" for "strength" works too.

But there is a catch.

Having to tell others you are these things is a good indication you're not.

WHO YOU SHOULD (NOT) TRUST

"Do not trust your memory; it is a net full of holes; the most beautiful prizes slip through it."

Georges Duhamel, 20th century French author

I know this is important, and, at one point, I knew why. 

Just not now.

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP SIMPLIFIED

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

Peter Drucker, 20th century American professor, business consultant

Possibly overly simplifying what I hope is still correct.

THE TRUTH ABOUT POWER AND POSITION

"Power and position often make a man trifle with the truth."

George A. Smith, 19th century religious leader

It doesn't have to be that way but as the quote suggests it is often enough.

Try for it not to be when you are that man, that woman.

WHO WILL CONTROL YOU?

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self."

Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) Greek philosopher.

Very important.

You won't control much of anything until you are able to control yourself.

THERE'S NO DISPUTING THIS

"He is no lawyer who cannot take two sides."

Charles Lamb (1775-1834) English essayist.

Lawyers are subjected to much criticism, this quote alluding to one reason why; their ability to take either side of a dispute.

What's wrong with that?

Management would do well to develop this skill.

Before attempting to manage anything, first learn to understand the likely consequences of each side of every decision you make. 

THE (FORMERLY) GREAT AND POWERFUL YOU

"The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet/playwright.

Break that connection and you ultimately break you.

START-UPERS; ARE YOU LISTENING?

"Nothing can withstand the power of the human will if it is willing to stake its very existence to the extent of its purpose."

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) British politician and author.

Start-up entrepreneurs, do not make the mistake of only believing the first 9 words without also believing the last 12.

Both are equally true for those attempting a start-up.

Your will can conquer as long as it, and you, are willing to accept the cost as being absolutely everything you hold dear, right down to the garage you start-up'd in.

DESTRUCTIVE MANAGEMENT

"When I want your opinion I'll give it to you."

Laurence J. Peter (1919-1990) Canadian teacher and writer.

I doubt Mr. Peter was this way however there are many who are, many of whom are bosses.

I can think of nothing more destructive.

IF YOU WANT TO LEAD . . .

"Follow the crowd and you will never be followed by a crowd."

Unknown

Ok but at least understand what the crowd thinks, where it intends to go.

Not doing that is another reason you will never be followed.

BUSINESS WITHOUT LEADERSHIP? OUT OF BUSINESS

"Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes."

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) German writer.

True for leaders as well as heroes.

However, whereas most heroes are proclaimed a hero after actually doing something heroic, many "leaders" are put in positions of leadership without having demonstrated leadership ability.

Being in a position of leadership does not necessarily mean you are leading.

It only means you were suppose to lead.

And if you don't lead you won't not lead for long.

You, the company, very possibly both, won't survive.

GROWING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE

"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell."

Edward Abbey (1927-1989) U.S. writer/environmentalist.

Cancer survives until it ultimately kills its host body, and there is parallel to that in business as well.

Almost any management team can create growth; the trick is to do so profitably. 

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses."

Proverb

A poetic description of giving.

How and when each of us help others is an individual decision, but there should be no question that we will help.

RIGHT OR WRONG, CHOOSE

"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) 26th president of the U.S.

You might think Mr. Roosevelt overstated the value of action; clearly there are times when no action is preferable to the wrong action.

But notice he qualified his statement as pertaining to "any moment of decision"; the point in time where making a decision is mandatory regardless of how well prepared you might be.

Still don't see it?

Think back to school. You are taking a test and have one last question to answer. Get the right answer, you pass. Pick the wrong answer, you fail. Choose not to answer you also fail.

What would you do?

JUST GOT A BIG PROMOTION?

"Every ruler is harsh whose laws is new."

Aeschylus (BC 525-BC 456) Greek dramatist.

Best to learn what and who you are managing before you actually begin to manage.

And even then, do so carefully, with great thought.

YOUR RULE IS NOT ABSOLUTE

"Those that rule must hear and be deaf, must see and be blind."

German proverb

Management rules but success only comes from the willing participation of those told what to do. 

Lose that and you do not rule.

THE PRICE OF OBSTINATE NEGOTIATION

"Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one's mind."

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) British novelist and playwright.

There is a cost for being right as well for when you act as though you are even when you're not.

Make sure you're willing to pay it before you incur it.

IS THIS YOU IN THE CHAIR?

"The worst form of tyranny the world has ever known is the tyranny of the weak over the strong. It is the only tyranny that lasts."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet and dramatist.

Good to remember if this is the tyranny you impose on others.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETHINK WHAT YOU THINK IF THIS IS WHAT YOU YOU THINK

"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; he thinks too much; such men are dangerous."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet/playwright.

This thought Shakespeare attributed to Julius Caesar, reflects the management style of far too many.

Good managers know the problem is not employees who think too much but rather those who think too little.