I Had Nothing To Do With It (Unless It Worked)

 A tyrant's authority for crime and a fool's excuse for failure."

Ambrose Bierce

19th century American journalist/writer

It kind of is that isn't it?

When we have no explanation for our bad behavior or failures, we call it destiny, as if we had no control over the outcome.

Do you recall a time when you succeeded at something, saying "I had nothing to do with it, it was destiny"?

Rearview Mirror Management?

 "If you look back too much you will soon be headed that way."

Unknown

I am a student of history and believe strongly in the adage that those who do not study the past are condemned to repeat it.  But at the same time this makes sense as well.

I believe the difference is in what you do with what you see.

Do you run your business based on what has been, what is, or what you think will be?

Do You Build Or Destroy?

"People are eternally divided into two classes, the believer, builder and praiser, and the unbeliever, destroyer and critic."

John Ruskin

19th century English art critic

I don't know about only two classes and particularly so with these two greatly polarized opposites, but I do get the general idea.

However, given his profession as a critic, it does make me wonder which class Mr. Ruskin saw himself belonging to.

How about you?  Which are you?

The Power(?) of Feared Management

"In time we hate that which we often fear."

William Shakespeare

16th century British playwright

 Does it matter to you as a manager if you are feared, hated, or both?

Because I Said So! (i don't think so)

"We thought, because we had power, we had wisdom."

Stephen Vincent Benet

Early 20th century American writer

Whoever "they" were they were not the first nor the last to confuse the two.

And to the list of things they did not have I would add "control".

At most (and then not always) managers only manage.