“Tidbits of advice on how to treat others, both at the office and at home, were randomly posted on Dad’s desk as daily reminders and personal goals to model for us all. This collection of sayings was from Dad’s personal experience; some were from workshops or books, but most of these grew from decades of leadership. These sayings became hallmarks of personal practice that simply defined how he lived and who he was in all things and all ways.

We girls will always remember him saying, “First things first”. Here are some of his philosophic favs, the principles he lived by:

1. First things first; prioritize.
2. Hire better people than yourself for every position, agree on objectives, find out what support they need, give it to them if you can, and then get out of their way.
3. A leader motivates associates, creates the atmosphere, to achievement. A manager makes certain that the process is working. A leader generates a sense of urgency, mission and purpose. A manager makes certain the reports are in on time. A leader asks associates to accomplish something. A manager asks associates to write a report about that something. Be a leader, then a manager, walk the talk.
4. Require continuous improvement in all areas.
5. Give away your power; trust.
6. Criticize in private; praise in public. Trust.
7. Encourage and practice Loyal Opposition. Terminate those who practice Malicious Obedience. Trust.
8. How to fire someone: Counsel “square pegs” in “round holes“ to find some other position that is not going to frustrate them. It is easier to find a job when you have a job.
9. Never “shoot” the messenger.
10. Build trust through honesty, integrity and open honest communication.
11. Set the example. Be an example.
12. Be ethical in every thing you do.
13. Make only positive deposits in associates’ emotional bank accounts. Avoid withdrawals whenever possible.
14. Ask often, “what principle is this based on?“
15. Require that bad news be given to you immediately.
16. Practice open and honest communication. Trust.
17. Have a certain sense about our core competencies and develop the same in associates.
18. Give credit away, and assume the responsibility for failure. President Reagan liked the thought, “There is no limit to what a man can do, or where he can go, if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” Take responsibility, be accountable.
19. DO NOT REACT.  Have patience. This is the most important message of all.
20. Cultivate people. Do not manipulate, but cultivate, in all directions. Build trust.
21. Exceed internal and external customer expectations through empowered employees, and do it ethically
22. Keep your associates informed.
23. Practice the Golden Rule, or better yet, the Platinum Rule. (GR: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. PR: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.)
24. One option in any discussion is to “agree to disagree“.
25. Push decisions down to the lowest level competent. Trust.
26. Understand that quality, safety and training are over time, critical items.
27. Be an entrepreneur.
28. Attack the problem not the people.
29. Attempt to avoid stress carriers. Change them or ask them to find something else to do. They are probably square pegs in round holes.
30. Succession planning and the training/mentoring that goes with it must be practiced.

Good advice, Dad. Thanks for modeling the highest standards of principle I have ever known. Wish you were here.”

from S’zanne Reynolds