The Rules of Management: A definitive code for managerial success

Richard Templar is the author of the international bestselling Rules books. Over 2 million people around the world have enjoyed and now play by Richard Templar's Rules. The complete list of titles is as follows: The Rules of Life, The Rules of Work, The Rules of Management, The Rules of Wealth, The Rules of Parenting, The Rules of Love, The Rules to Break, The Rules of People, The Rules of Thinking, and The Rules of Living Well.

• Managing your team1. Get them emotionally involved2. Know what a team is and how it works3. Set realistic targets – no, really realistic4. Hold effective meetings . . .5. No, really effective6. Make meetings fun7. Make your team better than you8. Know your own importance9. Set your boundaries10. Be ready to prune11. Offload as much as you can – or dare12. Let them make mistakes13. Accept their limitations14. Encourage people15. Be very, very good at finding the right people16. Hire raw talent17. Take the rap18. Give credit to the team when it deserves it19. Get the best resources for your team20. Celebrate21. Keep track of everything you do and say22. Be sensitive to friction23. Create a good atmosphere24. Inspire loyalty and team spirit25. Have and show trust in your staff26. Respect individual differences27. Listen to ideas from others28. Adapt your style to each team member29. Let them think they know more than you (even if they don’t)30. Don’t always have to have the last word31. Understand the roles of others32. Ensure people know exactly what is expected of them33. Have clear expectations34. Use positive reinforcement motivation35. Don’t try justifying stupid systems36. Be ready to say yes37. Train them to bring you solutions, not problemsManaging yourself38. Work hard39. Set the standard40. Enjoy yourself41. Don’t let it get to you42. Know what you are supposed to be doing43. Know what you are actually doing44. Value your time45. Be proactive, not reactive46. Be consistent47. Set realistic targets for yourself – no, really realistic48. Have a game plan, but keep it secret49. Get rid of superfluous rules50. Learn from your mistakes51. Be ready to unlearn – what works, changes52. Cut the crap – prioritize53. Cultivate those in the know54. Know when to kick the door shut55. Fill your time productively and profitably56. Have a Plan B and a Plan C57. Capitalize on chance – be lucky, but never admit it58. Recognize when you’re stressed59. Manage your health60. Be prepared for the pain and pleasure61. Face the future62. Head up, not head down63. See the wood and the trees64. Know when to let go65. Be decisive, even if it means being wrong sometimes66. Adopt minimalism as a management style67. Visualize your blue plaque68. Have principles and stick to them69. Follow your intuition70. Be creative71. Don’t stagnate72. Be flexible and ready to move on73. Remember the object of the exercise74. Remember that none of us has to be here75. Go home76. Keep learning – especially from the opposition77. Be passionate and bold78. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best79. Let the company see you are on its side80. Don’t bad-mouth your boss81. Don’t bad-mouth your team82.Accept that some things bosses tell you to do will be wrong83 Accept that bosses are as scared as you are at times84. Avoid straitjacket thinking85. Act and talk as if one of them86. If in doubt, ask questions87. Show you understand the viewpoint of underlings and overlings88. Add value89. Don’t back down – be prepared to stand your ground90. Don’t play politics91. Don’t slag off other managers92. Share what you know93. Don’t intimidate94. Be above interdepartmental warfare95. Show that you’ll fight to the death for your team96. Aim for respect rather than being liked97. Do one or two things well and avoid the rest98. Seek feedback on your performance99. Maintain good relationships and friendships100. Build respect – both ways – between you and your customers101. Go the extra mile for your customers102. Be aware of your responsibilities103. Be straight at all times and speak the truth104. Don’t cut corners – you’ll get found out105. Find the right sounding board106 Be in command and take charge107 Be a diplomat for the companyThe Rules for entrepreneurs1 Don’t borrow money2 Find a balance3 Plan for the worst4 Have a mission5 Be brutally honest6 Get all the help you can7 Set up a strong culture8 Don’t say yes to everything9 Stick by your decisions10 Your time is everyone’s timeEnd gameHad enough yet . . .?