My Guiding Principles

Since 1998, when I first quickly jotted these 14 guiding principles down (in a 30 minute surge of inspiration - while flying back from London to Washington D.C.) - I have not found any reason to add, subtract, or change them. They have stood the test of time well - and still guide me today. These are my True North:

• Delight the customer
• Listen, Look, Think, Act [1]
• Do what you say you will do
• Be scrupulously honest
• Plan your work / work your plan [2]
• Inspect what you expect [2]
• When in doubt, seek help
• Deliver more than promised
• A billable hour = hour of value
• Client acceptance = completed work
• Create value...always...daily
• Own the client's problem
• Recognize excellence
• Have fun

[1] Informed by my impressions after reading Thomas J. Watson Jr's autobiography, "Father, Son, and Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond"

[2] Borrowed - from my life-long, deep, and abiding appreciation for the mentor-ship I obtained through reading and listening to the great Zig Ziglar