Thank Goodness It's Monday #431

NEVER READ A NEWSPAPER

AT YOUR DESK

True or False? Today’s TGIM headline – “Never read a newspaper at your desk” -- is fundamental, universally correct business advice.

Most would say it’s True. In fact, it’s advice that was given to me when I accepted my first “desk” job as a newly minted copywriter for a major publisher.

 

Their counsel was: It’s a dead giveaway that you’ve got nothing to do. And if upper management catches you at it, they might suggest specific pages of the paper for follow-up reading, namely the “Help Wanted” ads.

Long ago
... but not this long ago
(Newspaper editor A. B. Adair
of the Chicago Daily News
reading at his desk, circa 1915.)

Of course this was long, long ago. (OK, the 1970s … early 1970s.) And it was well meaning input from business folks I respected outside the organization I was about to join. 

But, perhaps surprisingly –

It was incorrect. 

Yup. For me the observation was False.

Oddly enough, the claim to fame of the business-oriented subscription newsletter division of the world-class publishing enterprise I was about to become part of was finding savvy, cutting edge what-to-do and how-to-do-it strategies in the face of quixotically changing regulation and business developments.

So ink-on-paper newspapers – like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal and several other important dailies from around the country – were routed among the writing staff to be perused on company time -- along with academic law reviews, official governmental releases, technical journals, congressional updates, etc., etc.

The expectation was that this mountain of words would be, at least, skimmed by all and analyzed by several and important information and ideas would be highlighted, annotated, and discussed and shared and that, thus informed, the division’s thinking and writing would benefit accordingly.

 And it worked quite well.

TGIM TAKEAWAY: Business principles -- even at-the-core logical, fundamental business principles like "never read a newspaper at you desk on company time" -- are not necessarily carved in stone. Or if they are “carved in stone” perhaps they don’t apply to all situations for all time.

Does that mean axiomatic workplace wisdom has no place in informing our business thinking and behavior?

Not by a long shot.

Having begun my career confronted by an adage that proved flawed, I’ve tried to stay alert for succinct guidelines that bear up under more intense business scrutiny. 

Here’s a small selection from that collection. See if you think these 20 have a place in your world.

#1: Be honest. Never give excuses. Do what you must. Learn what else you must if you must. Get help where you must before you flame out. Don’t use “stressed” and “burned out” as cop outs.

#2: Admit when you don’t understand something. Don’t try to be an expert when you’re not. No one is expected to know everything. Likewise --

#3: Ask for directions as soon as you sense you’re off course. It saves time, work and frustration.

#4: Know how to listen; when to talk. Expect to listen first and more. Open communication based on this model will reduce gossip and improve productivity. 

#5: Everyone makes mistakes. It’s what’s done afterwards that counts most. 

#6: The business world is full of different personalities. You will eventually have to work with just about all of them. You don’t have to like them all nor they you. (Just hope this two-way flow doesn’t involve your immediate boss.)

#7: Expect change. Be adaptable to it and try new things. Flow with changing priorities. (But, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it just for the sake of change.)

#8: Focus on problem areas. Don’t spend a lot of time on what’s working well.

#9: Associate with successful people. Surround yourself with people with winning attitudes and you all improve your chances for success.

#10: Lead by example. Always hire people who are smarter than you are and can do things better than you can. It shows how smart you are. 

#11: Show appreciation for a job well done. Everyone likes recognition, particularly from those of higher rank.

#12: Morale and productivity go hand in hand. When one is low, so is the other. Make it your goal to raise both. 

#13: Be tough but fair. Make hard decisions when you have to. Others are watching and judging.

#14: Be a leader, seldom a manager. Leaders make things happen through vision, energy, communicating, motivating and taking chances. Managers supervise the status quo.

#15: Know the reasons for what you do. Be sure you believe they’re “good” – especially if you find it’s necessary to break the rules.

#16: Do your homework. You need to ask the right questions to get the right answers. Know how the business runs. Study successful organizations to see what they’re doing right.

#17: Delegating empowers others, but first you must set parameters and train those who received the honor of delegated responsibility. And be ever mindful that: You can delegate the authority to get the work done, but not the ultimate responsibility.

#18: Practice life management. There’s life before and after work. “Success” may not be where and what you expect. Balance family life with business responsibilities.

 

#19: Be humble with your success. A measure of humility will work more in your favor than exhibiting an air of expecting a higher level of respect. 

#20: Be a good mentor and share what you have learned – good and bad – with those close to you so they can help you advance beyond your immediate position.

Now it’s time for me to go read my morning paper so, in closing, let me add (or reiterate), as I hope I indicated at the start –

TGIM BONUS PRINCIPLE #21: Not all management philosophies and practices are good for every company or every individual, every time.

Hope these can work for you. Feel free to share with others and share yours with us as well.

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373

tgimguy@gmail.com 

P.S.  Why read a newspaper? Edwin Knoll (1931-1994), for several decades editor of The Progressive, a monthly magazine with a liberal perspective, shared one compelling insight via what’s been tagged, “Knoll’s Law of Media Accuracy” – “Everything in a newspaper is absolutely true except for that rare story of which you happen to have firsthand knowledge.”