Tag: Leadership

Learnings

If you’re about to promote someone, tell them they would be doing you a great favor. It will make them feel doubly important

Chris Labs

Woodrow Wilson followed that policy even when inviting William Gibbs McAdoo to become a member of his cabinet. That was the highest honor he could confer upon anyone, and yet Wilson extended the invitation in such a way as to make as to make McAdoo feel doubly important. Here is the story in McAdoo’s own words:”He [Wilson] said that he was making up his cabinet and that he would be very glad if I would accept a place in it as Secretary of the Treasury. He had a delightful way of putting things; he created the impression that by accepting … Continue reading If you’re about to promote someone, tell them they would be doing you a great favor. It will make them feel doubly important

Being CEO, Learnings

Asking questions instead of giving orders often stimulates creativity

Chris Labs

When Ian Macdonald of Johannesburg, South Africa, the general manager of a small manufacturing plant had the opportunity to accept a very large order, he was convinced that he would not meet the promised delivery date. The work already scheduled in the shop and the short order completion time needed for this order made it seem impossible for him to accept the order. Instead of pushing his people to accelerate their work and rush the order through, he called everybody together, explained the situation to them, and told them how much it would mean to the company and to them … Continue reading Asking questions instead of giving orders often stimulates creativity

Happiness, Learnings

Smile, always smile. Even if you’re sad

Chris Labs

The Value of a smile at Christmas It costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits. It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature’s best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, … Continue reading Smile, always smile. Even if you’re sad

Learnings

Tomorrow you may want to persuade somebody to do something. Before you speak, PAUSE and ask yourself:”How can I make this person want to do it?”

Chris Labs

That question will stop us from rushing into a situation heedlessly, with futile chatter about our desires. -Principle 3, How to Win Friends and Influence People, p.64 Continue reading Tomorrow you may want to persuade somebody to do something. Before you speak, PAUSE and ask yourself:”How can I make this person want to do it?”

Being CEO

Excess of money, plans or technology will lead any business to failure

Chris Labs

Asking what leads to success is misleading. You can’t copy success because there’s a million different factors (combination of luck, timing, context, etc.). Instead you should ask: “What are the keys to failure?” Because those are always the same. There are 3 things that will kill any company if in excess: Money Plans Technology Alibaba had that internal motto: “No money, no plan, no technology”. Money Money makes people stupid. When problems arise, the first instinct becomes “throw money at it” instead of attacking it with creativity. And this works sometimes. But it becomes this crutch that you can never … Continue reading Excess of money, plans or technology will lead any business to failure

Favorite, Happiness

To be a great leader, to have a magnetic field around you, do this:

Chris Labs

What’s the most intoxicating, desirable thing when you meet somebody? A sense of peace Someone who’s truly happy. They are truly happy at rest, when nothing is going on. You just want to be around that person and be like that person. Ex: Shaan’s trainer trained them for 7 hours in a row. He was exhausted after training everyone but even after that HUGE effort. He was packing his stuff and whistling with a big smile on his face. “It’s party time”, he said. You know how I am at the end of a work day? When I feel like … Continue reading To be a great leader, to have a magnetic field around you, do this:

Hiring

When you bring someone new on the team

Chris Labs

Do a dream exercise with them. Go to a conference room and ask the following: “Who are you” “Who are you trying to be by the time you’re done here” This job is like getting into a car. It’s going on a roadtrip. You’re gonna a bunch of other people in the car with you, we’re cool, it’s gonna be a fun hang, the music is good, the vibe is nice. Ok we’re trying to get to some destination, and your job is not to be focused on the car, making the car as great as it can be. Recognize … Continue reading When you bring someone new on the team

Learnings

Show your ability to help someone attain their goal and they will follow you.

Chris Labs

We’re all hungry for a map to joy, and when someone is courageous enough to draw it for us, we naturally follow. So when you ascertain your counterpart’s unattained goals, invoke. your own power and follow-ability by expressing passion for their goals – and for their ability to achieve them. –Never split the difference, p.231 Continue reading Show your ability to help someone attain their goal and they will follow you.

Negotation Mastery

Your goal, as a negotiator, is to come to an agreement that can be implemented, and make sure that happens.

Chris Labs

“Yes” is nothing without “how”. Ex: Success isn’t the hostage-taker saying, “Yes, we have a deal”; success comes afterward, when the freed hostage says to your face, “Thank you”. –Never split the difference, p.163 Continue reading Your goal, as a negotiator, is to come to an agreement that can be implemented, and make sure that happens.