The 10 commandments of being good

Some time back I wrote these commandments for one of my coaching clients who was struggling with just about everything. The idea of finding a job that actually paid, and offered some basic respect, seemed like an impossible dream. We decided to go back to basics, and think about the simplest of ways to be the person people want around.

Today I rejigged it a bit. These are the 10 commandments of being a good - a good employee, colleague, family member, connector, connection, community member, entrepreneur, manager or leader:

1.??????Be on time or two minutes early. It shows respect for other people’s time.

2.??????Keep your promises. Do what you say you’ll do when you say you’ll do it.

3.??????Reply to people in a set time. Get back to any messages within the working day, or within 24 hours. If you don't have the answer, still make contact and let them know when they can expect to hear from you again.

4.??????Under-promise and over-deliver on time. Anything you need to prepare that takes a bit of work should happen within one working week. Promise the week, but do it a day early. ?

5.??????Have squeaky clean social media. Anything, anything you post on line will be found by ?the very people you hoped wouldn’t find it. Seriously.

6.??????Be clear about when you are available and when you aren’t, and ask those around you to do the same. Try not to be available to work colleagues late at night or very early morning or on weekends if that’s not expected of your role. Don’t expect your colleagues to be either.

7.??????Use the least words possible to convey anything to anyone, and be meticulously polite.

8.????Follow up every lead or introduction. Promise to follow up by a set time time, and stick to your word. There is nothing more important than the trust people put in one another, and it is a privilege to receive an introduction to a treasured connection. Keep the trust cycle going.

9.??????Ask ‘how can I help’ and make sure you let the other person know how they can help you. People want to help, and it is often easy for someone else to do something you find difficult and vice versa.

10.??Look for the triple win in everything – wins for you, those around you and the world. If everyone wins, no one is doing anyone any favours. Amplify the contribution and the benefit for each party. ?

Anything missing? Anything that needs to change?