Best Not Miss

Were you a fan of HBO's The Wire? I think it's one of the 10 best series in television history.

I bumped across this blog from Shauna Griffis and thought she laid out seven great business lessons from the show.

My favorite character remains Omar. And not surprisingly, he had one of the best lines in the series in an episode entitled "Lessons". When one of his rivals sends a couple of "soldiers" to take him out and they fail, Omar ominously reminds the wounded, but living one: 

"Come at the king, you best not miss."

In business and life, whether you're making a play for first chair in the band, going after a competitor's market share or taking a shot at your biggest rival, you have to do your homework and be fully prepared. You need to run through all the potential outcomes of your actions to fully understand the consequences, good and bad. And most importantly, you better bring everything you've got and see it through til the end. Because once you make your move there is no going back.

Here are Shauna's Top 7 from the show:

1. Successful leaders seek out mentors. 
2. When you don’t have the talent internally, you have to bring in outside contractors.
3. Know when you need to work with, instead of against, your competition. 
4. Stay on top of new technology. 
5. It’s all about your connections.
6. You are your reputation.
7. Play the game, but don’t forget who your friends are.

What's your favorite one?