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I recently came upon an article by Nicole Fallon, staff writer at BusinessNewsDaily. In this piece, entitled 5 Simple Ways to Become a Better Leader, I recognized and appreciated what a fundamental and straightforward list of Simple Rules this was. Written for leaders and managers, this short list can help anyone enhance their own effectiveness in myriad situations.

Great examples of simple rules are clear, adaptable, scalable and user-friendly. So what do you think of these?

• Connect and communicate with others. How do you want to relate to others and be in the world? Relationships based upon trust, honesty and understanding create a foundation for critical connections and success.
• Focus on the positive. There is always room for improvement, however, you can make the move from “critic to cheerleader” to create energy, enthusiasm and engagement in others.
• Show, don’t tell. Be the example of what is possible by doing it.
• Understand and articulate your motivation. Motives are often tied to values and making a difference in the world. Once you are clear on what is important, share that with those around you.

You can find the full article here. Thanks, Nicole.

 

 

 

 

 

Confidence does not have to equate with bravado and brass. Often the best leaders engender loyalty, trust and fellowship through quiet poise and conviction.

Recently I met one such individual. She did not have the loudest voice nor did she choose to be the center of the group.  In fact, you might easily pass her by in the hall. Still, you knew she was someone when she entered the room; and everyone wanted to hear what she had to say.

I came away from the meeting with this short list of simple rules in my head. Pardon my assumptions but I wonder what she would think of these. I will ask her next time.

• Take a stand. It’s not about being right; it’s about being secure in your beliefs and open to other points of view.
• Listen more than you speak. Opportunities to learn and grow are all around; be open to them.
• Ask questions. Strength lies in honesty, curiosity, and recognizing one’s limitations.
• Acknowledge, appreciate and reward others. None of us are alone, nor can we do everything by ourselves. Relationships are a gift to be valued.
• Own your actions. We are accountable to ourselves, our communities, and the world.

What do you think? Do you know this person? Are YOU this person?

 

 

 

 

When it comes to the business basics, Neil Kane has nailed it in his piece on The Four Questions (http://bit.ly/1oOYFHV). Any business student, owner/entrepreneur, funder, marketer and customer service provider worth their salt are familiar with these ideas.

So I’d like to see his questions and raise him Four Simple Rules. Rather than provide easy answers to his questions, Simple Rules provide a path to inform behavior and decision making, based upon values, beliefs and how we want to interact with others. There is much to be said for the basics. What do you think?

Simple Rules for Business Basics 

• Act with intention.
• Know what your are about.
• Search for opportunity.
• Connect and support the whole, the part and the greater whole.

The Final Exam

A professor stood before her class of 20 senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam.

“I want to say that it’s been a pleasure teaching you this semester,” she said. “I know you’ve all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer. So that no one gets their GP messed up because they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt out of the final exam today will receive a “B” for the course.”

There was much rejoicing amongst the class as students got up, passed by the professor to thank her and sign out on her offer. As the last taker left the room, the professor looked out over the handful of remaining students and asked, “Any one else? This is your last chance.”

One final student rose up and took the offer. The professor closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining.

“I’m glad to see you believe in yourself.” she said to the remaining few. “You all have A’s.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This is a story I have heard/read in a variety of forms and places; the original source is unknown to me. I chose it because it is a wonderful example of this 1 Simple Thing: Believe in Yourself.

 

Life is indeed complex, but no more complicated than we make it. Albert Einstein believed in simplicity and I recently found myself poring over a collection of Einstein Quotes.  Afterwards, I found the following short list of Simple Rules buzzing around in my head.

Of course there is an infinite number of possibilities; these simply worked for me. You will no doubt come up with your own.

Simple Rules from Albert Einstein

• Embrace ongoing learning.  Opportunities for learning abound in every situation, interaction and conversation. Pay attention and seize what is right in front of you. It will enhance and contribute to your own breadth of experience and expertise.
• Persistently exercise your creativity and imagination.  Imagination is fundamental to integrating experience, learning and doing. When coupled with creativity, new, valuable and wonderful things will emerge from your efforts. Inspire others to imagine along with you.
• Value people. Recognize, respect, believe in and care about others. Not only will you get the same in return. Be someone who appreciates and is appreciated by others.
• Do what is right. ‘What is right’ means what is right for you. Be true to yourself and stand firm in your convictions. Then they will always be there to guide you.
• Be unconventional. Everyone talks about thinking/acting “outside the box.”  If you do what’s always been done, you’ll get what’s always been gotten. Think, act and BE different. That is the path to discovering your own answers – and more importantly – your own questions.

So, what do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

“Let’s agree to disagree.”

How often have we heard these words in the context of work and play?  When you and someone else have reached a point where further discussion cannot possibly move the situation forward – and might harm your relationship or desired outcomes – that seems to be the time to agree-to-disagree.

So when I recently came across a blog that talked about not having to win every argument, I realized I was looking at their short list of simple rules for handing conflict (and agreeing to disagree.)  Special thanks to Ian Lawton at Soulseeds.

Simple Rules for Handling Conflict

• Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to.
• Do no harm, but take no shit.
• Own your own shit.
• Respect others perspectives without giving up your own.
• Separate the person from the perspective.

After all, some battles are worth fighting, some are not, and some are better left alone. What do you think?

 

I’m not sure what percentage of women today are STILL struggling to be Superwoman (or is it Wonder Woman?) but the image of keeping all our plates spinning in the air at the same time continues to resonate with me.

Linda Coles, an international speaker, author and trainer from New Zealand, recently blogged about her own experiences at this. She smartly talks about putting on her “Wonder Woman Knickers” and from her insightful piece I gleaned the following Simple Rules. Thanks, Linda!

 

Here’s how I get it done:

• Prioritize and focus on what needs to get done.
• Allocate the time you need to complete your task.
• Stick with the plan.
• Ask for help and support when you need it.
• Enjoy what you are doing.

 

What do you think?