SILLY PROVERBS WORK
Hitout
SILLY PROVERBS WORK
By Jamais Jochim
Consider the proverb "A stitch in time saves nine". It may seem silly,
but it is definitely serious: Accidents stem from the simplest things,
and the smallest thing can destroy a factory; a worn screw, a balding
tire, a box jutting a mere centimeter past its allotted area. When you
deal with people, a minor tiff, a tired parent, or a love-struck teen
can be just as dangerous as a match. Thus, by correcting a small
problem, you can potentially stave off having to deal with bigger
issues. Thus, by always being careful and observant you can sew up that
stitch and potentially save more than just nine.
But, if you thought I was going to leave it at that, you were mistaken.
You are going to get a lot of advice as build your business; obviously,
you won't always take it, but you need to realize that, just like bad
anime, the silliest advice can have the most serious consequences. It's
just a matter of picking the best advice for the given situation. It's
a neat feat to have memorized every bit of advice in the universe, but
it's a still just a neat little trick. Better yet to remember just a
few proverbs, and apply them to your life. Waste not, want not...
Some other good ones: Look before you leap: Especially good for
research firms, you need to consider the potential effects of what your
company is doing. Also, it applies well to lobbying and legal firms, as
each decision (which vote to support or fight, or which case to fight
and on which side) they make defines the reputation of that firm, which
is important later on.
Sometimes the greatest battle is the one not fought: People tend to
forget that sometimes inaction is the best decision. This applies
especially well to people who tend to feel it necessary to get involved
with everyone they know; that interference can be both a bad idea and
cause bad feelings.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste: Obviously applying best to
neurosurgeons and cannibals, you need to occasionally remember that the
best resource you have at your disposal is the minds of those that work
for you.
There's no time like the present: Tomorrow can be planned for, but you
can't actually do anything about; nonetheless, it's nice to know that
it's there. The past is never where you want to be, unless you've
really screwed up; the funny thing is that it's a lot more complicated
than people remember it being. The present allows you to act; this
alone makes it superior to the others. Act when you have the chance and
make good decisions, and you won't have to explain to your past to a
grand jury and that you will have a tomorrow.
The Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have done unto you")
deserves a certain level of consideration, as it has a lot of use, even
in a cutthroat office.
First, it definitely applies to diplomacy; if there is a way you would
like to be treated, be sure that you treat others the same way. If you
like spartan events, then run spartan events; if you like grande
affaires, then every affair you are in charge of should be as big as
you can make it. Those wishing to make alliances with you will honor
your desires, and those wishing to offend you will run as counter as
they are able. Friends and enemies will thus be easier to detect, if
nothing else.
Second, it allows you to define your corporate culture. The way you
treat those under you will define how they treat others at and below
them. Thus be aware that the way you treat people is the way people
will be treated in your corporation. Keep in mind that this also
applies to how you will be treated should your position ever be
usurped, so decide very early on how you treat failures.
Third, it defines your business dealings. Your personality will be
imbued into everything that the business touches; it will thus effect
how your salesmen and marketers sell your business. Thus, how ruthless
or mannered (or both) will effect how hard it is to sell your business.
Fourth, it will be considered an extension of you, and will be judged
accordingly. Remember that everything you do should be an extension of
who you are and you should do well.
When it comes to the proverbs that you choose for your management
style, keep in mind that they should remind you of things you have
problems remembering, and do it in a quirky way. Find those, and you've
found gold. For example, I have a problem keeping motivated; thus,
something from an old cartoon ("Never doubt the power of a motivated
hampster.") keeps me motivated. Find something that works for you, and
stand by it!
A writer and graphic designer Jamais Jochim is currently working on
the Evil Mastermind's Management Guide.