I ended my 2017 teaching year at the Eastern Institute of Technology yesterday with an Operations Management lecture that enabled me to leave students with a set of concrete proven practices and principles for them to apply in their commercial lives. Many of these helpful pointers have relevancy not just for our working lives, but for our lives generally…
Wisdom #1 – build relationships slowly, and test the strength of the relationship and the presence of mutual trust and respect periodically, ongoing.
Wisdom #2 – never slam relationship doors shut; always leave these doors slightly ajar to enable the possibility of once soured/ strained relationships to be rekindled at some future point in time.
Wisdom #3 – try and base all relationships on a foundation of mutual kindness, trust and respect. Avoid those people who are only interested in connecting with you for self-gain reasons.
Wisdom #4 – become the best person that you’re capable of being, AND help others to be the best that they’re capable of being.
Wisdom #5 – 4 x key strengths needed to be successful in life: tenacity/ determination/ resilience, adaptability/ flexibility, empathy and communication.
Wisdom #6 – be courageous and prepared to take reasonable measured risks; no real gains can be made and no significant new opportunities can be created/ discovered if no reasonable risks are taken.
Wisdom #7 – Every person on the planet has:
* A valid view
* A different perspective on the world/ life
* The potential to contribute value
* Both strengths and weaknesses
Wisdom #7 – pursue activities/ experiences that bring you enjoyment (have some fun along the way in life); and don’t forget to celebrate your successes as they happen (don’t brush-over either your own or others’ successes).
Wisdom #8 – remain open to input (none of us have a monopoly on good ideas) and have the attitude of being a “Life Long Learner”.
Wisdom #9 – be humble and be prepared to forgive those who do us harm or who deceive/ undermine us.
Wisdom #10 – what other people think about us is none of our business. Concentrate on being the best person that you’re capable of being.
Wisdom #11 – there is a greater likelihood that we will achieve greater/ more favourable outcomes by combining strengths and skills as a collective to act collaboratively; versus going it alone.
Go well.