The Rules
Leroy Jethro Gibbs of the NCIS TV show has a pithy set of rules.
Here's my version, adapted for live in the professional/startup world. (some of these are a bit cryptic - someday, blog posts for each of them).
- Leave your politics at home.
- Gibbs is wrong (Gibbs rule #6). Apologizing doesn't show weakness, it shows strength. If you're wrong, admit it.
- Do something every day to earn your team's loyalty.
- Hire your own damn people. HR won't do it for you.
- Somebody on your team will always make more money than you. Get over it.
- Never confuse selling with implementation.
- Time is my most valuable commodity. With respect, get to the f'ing point.
- The deal's not done til the money's in the bank. And sometimes not even then.
- Feed the troops. An Army runs on its stomach.
- Equal pain for all. unpleasant task = everybody helps.
- Don't forget to manage up.
- Take care of your stars. I mean, really take care of them.
- Always return emails & phone calls
- Honor your mentor.
- One hour a day, one day a week, don't think about work. Harder than it sounds. Do it. (I learned this from my mentor).
- Every opportunity prepares you for the next one. (see rule #5).
- Bad news first. Good news is fun but there's nothing actionable about it. Bad news, you can try to fix.
- When you have to make a decision, think carefully, ask for opinions. Then make a decision and don't change your mind. (Indecision is fatal in a leader)
- Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story.
- Hire adrenaline junkies.
- Rip off the bandaid.
- Never make a decision until you have to. (My take on this, via Shogun, a master class in this).
- Always carry on your bags; never take a connecting flight (wait - that's two rules)
- Never release on Fridays
- Don't fight the last war. (re: when we built goby, we focused on our website even as mobile was becoming ubiquitous)
- "Your reputation is important and easily damaged, and people talk".
- Remember, you can always say "No". Later. (ie. don't close things off too soon - you don't have to commit just because you take the meet or offer the phone call….).
- "Hands and Feed Inside the Vehicle at all times.". Enjoy the ride.
- Next slide. "Great Launch! Next Slide". (from my first post-launch goby board meeting, after I showed the celebratory slide in the board meeting. One of my board members said this almost as soon as I put up the slide. The point: be future-focused and keep driving for more.)
- Paraphrasing Gibbs: When the Job's Done, Walk Away. (when you step out of a job, don't take another one for two months if you can help it. Your brain will change.)
- Be (civil) In The Arena. (re: Roosevelt quote). The Arena is The Internet and Social Media. As a leader of your company, be present. Don't be afraid to respond to your critics as well as your friends. But be civil. Flies, Honey, Vinegar, etc.
- The three laws of email (with hat tip to Asimov's three laws of robotics)
- Never send email when you're mad.
- On the third reply, use the phone.
- Reply All is not your friend.
- Always close the loop on an intro. (if I introduce you to a VC, let me know how the meeting went. Who knows, I might have back door info….plus, it's just polite).
- If you're going to eat shit, don't nibble. (originator: Ed Gillis @ PTC)