Thinking Creativity
Twelve Truths About Leading People
I have been
fortunate in my career to learn about leading people from several
great examples, and several equally horrible warnings (as Catherine
Aird said, "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to
be a horrible warning"). Here's what I've learned from the good, the
bad, and the
ugly.
1. The people thing IS real work, not just a sidebar to programs and
projects.
2. When it comes to working with people, there is no formula. There
is no one, right answer.
3. People are not rational, logical beings.
4. We are all little kids in big people bodies.
5. People are messy. Give up the illusion of control.
6. There is a reason for every human action; not an excuse, but a
reason.
7. More human damage comes from standoffs and ultimatums than from
any disagreement. When you back people into a corner, most will have
no choice but to come out snapping and snarling, so give people a
way to save face.
8. We're all emotionally scarred, just in different ways. The people
who look the most together on the outside are usually hiding the
biggest scars.
9. People will give more if you demonstrate a genuine interest
in their happiness and success than they will for any formulaic,
incentive program. Corollary: Small, genuine gestures have a bigger
impact than soulless grand recognition programs.
10. The paradox of reality is that there are many and there is none.
Ten people can experience the same conversation, meeting, or event
and emerge with ten very different, but very valid perceptions.
11. You can't regulate innovation or commitment.
P.S. Commitment is an emotion.
12. It's not just about the money. It's not just about the money.
It's not just about the money. Really.
Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, helping people learn how to
master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She
is the author of Brain Power (Wiley, 2002).
© 2002 Shannon Bradford

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