The Newsletter

Issue no. 27|November 23, 2010

Horstman's Invisible Third Law

There is an actual third law*, but the first two are so important, when they combine, alchemy happens. #1: It's All About People. (Frustrating, but true). #2: More Communication Is Better.

What's the alchemy? Relationships. Thus Horstman's Invisible Third Law: Relationships Matter. I often say if I could only teach one thing to managers, it would be one on ones. But if I could only teach one thing to young professionals, it would the Invisible Third Law. I KNOW that college kids everywhere are sitting next to their friends in class, and "hanging out", only to lose track of those folks within WEEKS of school. And later, they're going to want to know someone somewhere, and they would have, had they maintained the relationship.

For managers, here's what I think is an even more powerful reason to work on relationships: there are only three types of power: role, expertise and relationship. If you don't start working on relationships now, developing those skills, you won't HAVE the relationships you need, nor have the SKILLS to create them, when you become an executive. And being an executive is ALL ABOUT relationships with other executives.

And if you are already are an executive, teach your managers how to do this, and share your network with them.

This week's plea (one we've made before!): please start reconnecting with friends and old associates now (holidays might help), and work on strengthening the ones you have now. Both the people you know and the skills you use relating to them are critical to a successful professional life.

[* - My actual 3rd Law is You're Not That Smart, and They're Not That Dumb. In other words, assume people are smart, because they usually are.]

Becoming The Favorite

We post a question on our Facebook page each week on Tuesday. From 'Do you twitter?' to 'What other websites do you find most useful?' each question gets a wide range of answers. A couple of weeks ago, the question was: Your favorite direct: why is he/she the favorite?

The answers are a fascinating guide to what makes a great direct: a can do attitude, a desire for feedback and self-driven to learn.

You can read the rest of the answers and join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ManagerTools

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