Thursday, August 07, 2014

Random Thoughts



If emotional wounds were visible we'd be calling paramedics every day. We need to design work practices to make good management convenient and poor management inconvenient. Short, daily, and to-the-point staff meetings beat long and rambling weekly ones. Another name for an open door policy is "Pester me." There are individuals who would rather have a grievance than a solution. At challenging moments, leaders should be candid enough to reveal reality and restrained enough to preserve hope. You can gain a major advantage by reading and remembering the bylaws. Do you really believe that an employee who is deceptive with someone else will be thoroughly honest with you? The health of an organization can be measured in part by how willing people are to put problems and solutions on the table. Those who find scoundrels to be charming don't have to work with them. Never assume that people dislike a crisis. It was a gray day when the metal desk was invented. How many talented people spend their lives awaiting appointment to high office? Three soldiers on the nearest street corner trump a thousand diplomatic resolutions. Comfort clouds many windows. Upward delegation is a danger sign. Many say that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level but see how often that is practiced. Managers should sign an oath never to take people for granted. Accountability to a bureaucrat is the same as a mirror to a vampire. When you control the budget and the rules you do not have to raise your voice. Technology is nice, but I suspect school was better when classrooms had blackboards and Big Chief tablets. Citizenship should mean more than a street address. Much of the work week is spent clearing brush, waiting for the fog to lift, and moving further down the trail. You hope it is the right trail.

No comments: