Simple sayings that resonate
I had been involved with an executive search. It was a fascinating experience. We had the privilege of meeting with some really interesting people. Some of their tidbits really resonated with me. Of course, each of them applies to any company particularly a start-up.
My favorite line someone said that they were given the autonomy to fail. That is big. I am a big believer in that. Micromanaging doesn’t do anyone any good. It doesn’t let your employees grow and it doesn’t create a healthy environment. Giving autonomy is giving trust.
Then I heard someone say we were encouraged to be curious. Curiosity is the key to life. It keeps you engaged and your mind active. Particularly when it comes to children. All children should be encouraged to be curious and ask as many questions as possible. No question is a dumb question.
Here are a few others. Constantly manage your environment. Never let a good crisis go to waste. No generation can take a vacation from history. Good managers think dimensionally and hire people better than them.
I love all of these bits of wisdom. Particularly the one about autonomy to fail. Sayings can sometimes describe a situation up easier than describing what you are going through. One of my favorites that Fred learned from someone he worked with years ago is when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.
Any favorite sayings out there?
Comments (Archived):
No risk, no fun 🙂
No risk no reward
Loosely relate, the yiddish saying which translates to:”If you are going to eat like a pig, let it drip from your beard..”
Maybe not exactly the kind you are looking for but here are two of my favorites. /JSThe best way out is always through. – Robert FrostIn preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Good ones.
.The first casualty upon contact with enemy is the plan.JLMwww.themusingsofthebigredca…
.In building anything: You do not get what you expect; you get what you inspect.In business: You do not get what you deserve; you get what you negotiate.In life: There is no wisdom in the second kick of a mule.The meek may inherit the Earth, but not until the bold have consumed a lot of it.JLMwww.themusingsofthebigredca…
I quote Peter Drucker a lot, but only because my dad was a big fan of his when I was growing up. I haven’t actually read any of his books. Anyway, this is a great Drucker quote: “What gets measured gets improved.”
I thought that Meg Whitman had adapted that and said ‘if you can’t measure it you can’t manage it’.
Oh possibly. It does make sense.
‘Don’t make a straight line crooked’ and the term ‘bikeshedding’ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/…
Some of my gurus …(1.) My mother: “No one can tell you everything so you have to learn something every day.”(2.) Confucius: “Study the past if you would divine the future.”(3.) Galileo: “Measure what is measurable, and MAKE MEASURABLE what is not so.”(4.) Da Vinci: “Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”(5.) Ada: “The more I study, the more insatiable do I feel my genius for it to be.”(6.) Einstein: “Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere.”(7.) Admiral Hopper: ” If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.”(8.) Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”(9.) Picasso: “Everything you can imagine is real.”(10.) Gandhi: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Good ones!
“You can name the price if I can name the terms…”
“All prophecies are self fulfilling..”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”.No it’s not just a quote from the Godfather.Real life usage: When my ex wife had her advertising book way way back I encouraged her to walk up and be friendly with her much larger competitor.I told her ‘he will be less likely to screw you (or will screw you less) if there is a personal connection’.
Three of my favorites:1. She who names a number first loses2. No good deed goes unpunished3. When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
Love no good deed goes unpunished. It’s happened to me many times!