The Little BIG Things Video series
Our friends at Enterprise Media captured Tom’s thoughts during an early draft stage of his book, The Little BIG Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence. This collection of 80 videos covers his distinctive wisdom in seven categories.
YOU
Two Decisions a Year Define You
Tom insists that your legacy is determined by the people you leave behind—those you promote into strategic positions—so he asks you to choose wisely.
2 minutes 12 seconds
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Three-Minute Apologies
According to Tom, one of the most important practices you adopt—perhaps for the New Year?—should be the apology.
1 minute 49 seconds
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You Are the Company You Keep
Tom explains his theory that if you want to be more innovative, you must hang out with interesting people who pull you into the future.
1 minute 56 seconds
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You Are Your Calendar
Tom tells it like it is: The calendar never lies. You can claim something is your priority, but if your calendar doesn't reflect it, you're lying to yourself.
2 minute, 28 seconds
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Build Your Legacy
"What will your legacy be from today?" Since only your legacy lives on, you must consciously build it from day one, Tom tells us.
2 minutes, 5 seconds
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Engage Your Brain
Using an example from Dan Coyle's The Talent Code, Tom theorizes that you are much more effective with what you're doing when you're engaged in your work.
2 minutes, 23 seconds
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Everybody Is a Salesperson
According to Tom, when you interact with anyone outside your organization, you are in sales ... think of yourself as an ambassador.
2 minutes, 21 seconds
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First Impressions
Tom relates that Roger Ailes says a person has only 7 seconds to make that all-important first impression.
2 minutes, 32 seconds
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GTHOOTO
Tom simplifies the Managing By Wandering Around strategy. If you're a leader, you should adopt it now.
1 minute, 40 seconds
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More on Brand You
Brand You may be more important now than when Tom introduced the idea. He states that taking control of your own career is not an option.
3 minutes, 8 seconds
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Never Trash Your Competitors
It may be a simple truth, but it's a valuable one. Tom reminds us not to stoop so low as to badmouth the competition.
2 minute, 38 seconds
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Out-Read the Other Guy
Tom reminds us that a key to success is reading. Staying informed and developing your analytical skills are essential habits.
2 minutes, 4 seconds
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Read These Books
Tom says it's all about relationships. Not only that, he provides a must-read book list that will help you with relationships in business.
1 minute, 59 seconds
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Showing Up Matters
Take a lesson from The Delaware delegation to the U.S. Constitutional Congress. You can dramatically increase your influence in any negotiation/decision by simply showing up.
2 minutes 12 seconds
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Shut Up
You'll be amazed by what you learn if you're willing to do one very simple thing: Shut up. Tom says that listening is an essential tool, particularly for sales.
2 minutes, 59 seconds
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Start Something Dull
Tom shares the story of two men who, by doing very dull things, have made a lot of money.
3 minutes, 57 seconds
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TDY Finance
Tom advises you to take a temporary duty assignment in the finance department. The relationships you build there will be priceless in getting things done.
2 minutes, 18 seconds
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You Are Your Story
Gandhi says that your life is your message. In the latest addition to the Little BIG Things video series, Tom says that your brand is your story.
2 minutes, 27 seconds
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Thank You Notes
The first of Tom's Rules of Implementation is remembering your "Thank you" notes. He says, "Recognition, appreciation, nothing gets you further."
2 minutes, 50 seconds
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To-Don't List
According to Tom, a must for executives and business managers of all kinds to supplement the "To-Do" list is the "To-Don't" list.
2 minutes 27 seconds
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Work on Your Writing
Tom reminds us that writing is a craft to be honed.
2 minutes, 58 seconds
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