The CEO’s Secret Handbook
It seems there have been some allegations that Bill Swanson, the
long sitting CEO of Raytheon (a Financial Times Global 500 firm) may have appropriated
some of the content for his famous booklet from insufficiently credited sources.
In fact, Bill has, at times, openly said he used engineering Professor W. J. King's
book written six decades ago for some of the booklet’s rules.
However Swanson assembled his list, it doesn't change the fact
the 25 rules have proven invaluable to many senior business leaders over the years.
Recently I was working on a senior diversity search where the
interviewing of candidates had been subcontracted out to us. Our assignment was
to do the interviews and make recommendations (e.g., responding to: "Here,
take this stack of resumes and find us the real corporate warriors!"). I like
these assignments since I've never met a candidate I couldn't learn something useful
from. This project was no exception. In the course of the interviews a couple of
the candidates mentioned Mr. Swanson as someone they admired (among other things
Swanson is dedicated to diversity in the workplace).
Since we did occasional work
for the government I'd heard Swanson's name before but never really focused on it
other than knowing that, as a manager, he's the real thing. Now curious, I finally
looked into it and quickly realized he's the same Swanson that wrote "Swanson's
Unwritten Rules of Management” which I had heard rumors about under the name 'The
CEO's Secret Handbook'. You may take issue with some of the "rules" and
probably have some of your own, but, by and large, it's a powerful list for improving
an organization. The list follows.
25 Unwritten Rules
of Management
1.
Learn to say, “I don’t know.” If used when appropriate,
you will use it often.
2.
It is easier to get into something than it is to
get out of it.
3.
If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
4.
Look for what is missing. Many know how to improve
what’s there, but few can see what isn’t there.
5.
Viewgraph rule: When something appears on a viewgraph
(an overhead transparency), assume the world knows about it, and deal with it accordingly.
6.
Work for a boss with whom you are comfortable telling
it like it is (AKA Truth to Power - TN). Remember that you can’t pick your relatives,
but you can pick your boss.
7.
Constantly review developments to make sure that
the actual benefits are what they are supposed to be. Avoid Newton’s Law.
8.
However menial and trivial your early assignments
may appear, give them your best efforts.
9.
Persistence or tenacity is the disposition to persevere
in spite of difficulties, discouragement, or indifference. Don’t be known as a good
starter but a poor finisher.
10. In
completing a project, don’t wait for others; go after them, and make sure it gets
done.
11. Confirm
your instructions and the commitments of others in writing. Don’t assume it will
get done!
12. Don’t
be timid; speak up. Express yourself, and promote your ideas.
13. Practice
shows that those who speak the most knowingly and confidently often end up with
the assignment to get it done.
14. Strive
for brevity and clarity in oral and written reports.
15. Be
extremely careful of the accuracy of your statements.
16. Don’t
overlook the fact that you are working for a boss. Keep him or her informed. Avoid
surprises! Whatever the boss wants takes top priority.
17. Promises,
schedules, and estimates are important instruments in a well-ordered business. You
must make promises. Don’t lean on the often-used phrase, “I can’t estimate it because
it depends upon many uncertain factors.”
18. Never
direct a complaint to the top. A serious offense is to “cc” a person’s boss.
19. When
dealing with outsiders, remember that you represent the company. Be careful of your
commitments. (Under promise, over deliver. - TN)
20. Cultivate
the habit of “boiling matters down” to the simplest terms. An elevator speech is
the best way.
21. Don’t
get excited in engineering emergencies. Keep your feet on the ground.
22. Cultivate
the habit of making quick, clean-cut decisions.
23. When
making decisions, the pros are much easier to deal with than the cons. Your boss
wants to see the cons also.
24. Don’t
ever lose your sense of humor.
25. Have
fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another
grump.
Think about it…
"Cashing a paycheck is an oath to perform your best." -T. Newhart
