The past shapes us...

MANAGEMENT MAXIMS

The past is never fully gone.  The past shapes us.

WORK

• ·         Never let the urgent stand in the way of the important.
• ·         It is easier to achieve than to maintain.
• ·         Delegating work is not the same as delegating responsibility.

PEOPLE

• ·         Bosses nearly always overestimate their importance to the organisation.
• ·         A strong leader accepts his/her limitations.
• ·         Lead, do not dictate.
• ·         Staffs want sense of direction from a leader, not directiveness.
• ·         Those at the top of the tree should remember that they depend on the roots.
• ·         Good high fliers teach their chicks to fly.
• ·         Some bosses create swamps, some drain swamps, some wallow in swamps, some cannot get out of swamps.
• ·         When a good boss goes he leaves behind him an organisation that can run without him.

 OTHERS

• ·         Things look very different from above and below.
• ·         Communication is never as good as you think.
• ·         Listening is more important than talking – and much more difficult.
• ·         Criticism demotivates, praise motivates.
• ·         Humour relaxes, creates bonds, gives perspective, and stimulates creativity.
• ·         Attitudes are more important than techniques – but proper use of techniques can promote good attitudes.
• ·         Principles are more important than rules.

Shared from:

Maurice B. Line, (2005),"Maurice's management maxims", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 33 Iss: 2 pp. 108 - 108