lms.mlanet.org

Find happiness in what you do!

1. Happiness, a good attitude, and optimism are contagious (and so are glumness, a bad attitude, and pessimism).
2. Take a break once in while.
3. Have a complete personal life and encourage everyone else to do so as well.
4. Sometimes you must think, don’t do (stare out the window).
5. “Be happy, don’t worry!”

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It’s your job to say “no” as well as “yes!”

1. We already have enough “yes-people.”
2. Bad ideas are everywhere, even in the boss’s office.
3. And for trips to Abilene, as well.
4. Question assumptions.

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Allow (force) folks to “fail forward!”

1. Change, creativity, and innovation require some risk taking.
2. Press for innovation until failure.
3. Promote and deliver on life long learning for everyone.

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Recruiting is always key!

1. As with most productive processes, good inputs improve the outputs.
2. The extra cost is worth it – go ahead and pay the premium.
3. All positions are critical – top to bottom.
4. Attitude may be more important than skills, experience, and knowledge.
5. Practice the “No Asshole Rule.”

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Consultants can help but are not the answer!

1. There are no quick fixes.
2. Beware of the “canned solution.”  I never heard a consultant say, “I don’t know.”
3. Consultants have more time to think – but thinking is the key (step back, step forward).
4. In the end, you have to do it yourself.

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Folks will not “get it” at first!

1. “Counter-intuitive leadership is, well, counter-intuitive and means a major change in thinking for everybody.
2. It’s easier to just be told what to do.
3. Don’t worry if you hear, “Where’s the hierarchy?” “Who’s the boss?”
4. You will certainly hear, “This will take some time.” – “Are you really serious, now I’ll have to think too?”

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Accountants (and IT) work for the organization and not vice-a-versa!

1. Make reports/forms work for you, never work for the reports/forms.
2. Identify and eliminate the three stupidest things your organization does (at least monthly).
3. Eliminate “make work”– things that do not add value (and hope that there is something left).
4. Be a bureaucracy hater/eliminator.
5. Don’t make your folks put up with stupid rules, policies, and procedures.

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Celebrate the victories/accomplishments!

1. Look for a reason to have a party/get together.
2. Have some fun – don’t worry about “down time.”
3. Find ways to reward people.

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