Five Or Less Words To The Wise

This started as a couple of Tweets. And then …

4 most important words: “What do you think?” (Dave Wheeler @ tompeters.com: “Most important 4 words in organization”)

4 most important words: “How can I help?” (Boss as CHRO/Chief Hurdle Removal Officer)

2 most important words: “Thank you!” (Appreciation/Recognition)

2 most important words: “All yours.” (Hands-off delegation/Respect)

3 most important words: “I’m going out.” (MBWA/Managing By Wandering Around/In touch!)

2 most important words: “I’m sorry.” (Power of unconditional apology = Stunning! Marshall Goldsmith: #1 exec issue.)

5 most important words: “Did you tell the customer?” (Over-communicate.)

2 most important words: “She says …” (“She” is the customer!)

2 most important words: “Yes ma’am.” (Women are more often than not the best managers.)

2 most important words: “Try it!” (My only “for sure” in 44 years: /Herb Kelleher: “We have a strategic plan, it’s called doing things.”/Bill Parcells: “Blame no one. Expect nothing. Do something.”)

3 most important words: “Try it again!” (My only “for sure” 44 years.)

3 most important words: “Try it again!” (My only “for sure” 44 years: Most tries wins.)

3 most important words: “At your service.” (Organizations exist to serve. Period. Leaders exist to serve. Period.)

4 most important words: “How are we doing?” (To customers, regularly.)

4 most important words: “How was Mary’s recital?” (Know your employees’ kids.)

2 most important words: “Let’s party!” (Celebrate “small wins” at the drop of a hat.)

1 most important word: “No.” (“To don’ts” > “To dos.”)

1 most important word: “Yes.” (Hey, give it a shot/Anon. quote: “The best answer is always, ‘What the hell.'”/Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”)

2 most important words: “Lunch today?” (“Social stuff” = Secret to problem/opportunity #1: XFX/cross-functional Excellence)

4 most important words: “Thank Dick in accounting.” (Readily acknowledge help from other functions.)

2 most important words: “After you.” (Courtesy rules.)

3 most important words: “Thanks for coming.”
(Civility. E.g., boss acknowledges employee coming to her/his office.)

2 most important words: “Great smile!” (Note & acknowledge good attitude.)

1 most important word: “Wow!” (The gold standard … for everything.)

1 most important word: “EXCELLENT!” (The … ONLY … acceptable standard/aspiration.)

Tom Peters posted this on August 12, 2010, in Excellence.
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