The Great Unpublished Management Survival Guide
Who is Bill Swanson? He’s the CEO of Raytheon and he wrote a 76-page book of executive wisdom…but never sought to have it formally published. Instead, he’s passed it along to the top management team at Raytheon and it has also found its way into the hands of other CEOs and business leaders.
What’s so special about this? I’ve only read portions of it on blogs and in the July issue of Business 2.0 magazine, but what I’ve read is extremely relevant to my job and I’ll bet you’ll find it is to yours as well.
One of my favorite points is:
Look for what is missing. Many know how to improve what’s there, but few can see what isn’t there.
How many times have you sat in a meeting/presentation, listening to others picking apart “the numbers” or “the bullet points” when you realize that the most important item is being completely overlooked, it hasn’t been mentioned and that it’s not even part of the discussion? How many times have you been in a meeting where someone is presenting a solution to a problem that simply doesn’t exist?
Here’s the full list of Bill Swanson’s 25 Unwritten Rules of Management:
1. Learn to say, "I don't know." If used when appropriate, it will be often.
2. It is easier to get into something than it is to get out of it.
3. If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
4. Look for what is missing. Many know how to improve what's there, but few can see what isn't there.
5. Viewgraph rule: When something appears on a viewgraph (an overhead transparency), assume the world knows about it, and deal with it accordingly.
6. Work for a boss with whom you are comfortable telling it like it is. Remember that you can't pick your relatives, but you can pick your boss.
7. Constantly review developments to make sure that the actual benefits are what they are supposed to be. Avoid Newton's Law.
8. However menial and trivial your early assignments may appear, give them your best efforts.
9. Persistence or tenacity is the disposition to persevere in spite of difficulties, discouragement, or indifference. Don't be known as a good starter but a poor finisher.
10. In completing a project, don't wait for others; go after them, and make sure it gets done.
11. Confirm your instructions and the commitments of others in writing. Don't assume it will get done!
12. Don't be timid; speak up. Express yourself, and promote your ideas.
13. Practice shows that those who speak the most knowingly and confidently often end up with the assignment to get it done.
14. Strive for brevity and clarity in oral and written reports.
15. Be extremely careful of the accuracy of your statements.
16. Don't overlook the fact that you are working for a boss.
* Keep him or her informed. Avoid surprises!
* Whatever the boss wants takes top priority.
17. Promises, schedules, and estimates are important instruments in a well-ordered business.
* You must make promises. Don't lean on the often-used phrase, "I can't estimate it because it depends upon many uncertain factors."
18. Never direct a complaint to the top. A serious offense is to "cc" a person's boss.
19. When dealing with outsiders, remember that you represent the company. Be careful of your commitments.
20. Cultivate the habit of "boiling matters down" to the simplest terms. An elevator speech is the best way.
21. Don't get excited in engineering emergencies. Keep your feet on the ground.
22. Cultivate the habit of making quick, clean-cut decisions.
23. When making decisions, the pros are much easier to deal with than the cons. Your boss wants to see the cons also.
24. Don't ever lose your sense of humor.
25. Have fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump.
If you want more than just this simple list, sign up at this link and Raytheon will send you a free copy of the book.
Btw, if you don't already subscribe to Business 2.0 magazine, you should. It only costs $10 for a 2-year subscription. Higher math tells me that's less than 42 cents per issue. You'll definitely get at least 42 cents worth of information in each issue...
thanks for sharing this with us. nice find.
Posted by: eKapa | July 27, 2005 at 03:18 AM