Richard Templar is the international best-selling author of The Rules series. He is known for creating clear rules for success in life and work. He turns his lifelong observations of successful people into simple and easy-to-understand principles. These rules help you become happier and more successful by showing you how to handle different situations with confidence.

Introduction

How to use the Rules

ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM

1. Know what a team is and how it works
2. Hire raw talent
3. Bevery, very goodat finding the right people
4. If youcantfind the right person, dont hire the wrong one
5. Ensure people know exactly what is expected of them
6. Understand the roles of others
7. Understand the pros and cons of individualism
8. Get the best resources for your team
9. Be ready to prune
10. Make your team better than you

TAKE THE LEAD

1. Set your boundaries
2. Offload as much as you can or dare
3. Know your own importance
4. Hold effective meetings . . .
5. 15. . . .No,really effective
6. Make meetings fun
7. Listen to ideas from others
8. Dontalways have to have the last word
9. Have clear expectations
10. Donttry justifying stupid systems
11. Embrace technology
12. Be ready to say yes
13. Give credit to the team when it deserves it
14. Train them to bring you solutions, not problems

DEAL WITH PEOPLE

1. Get them emotionally involved
2. Encourage them
3. Set realistic targets no,really realistic
4. Accept their limitations
5. Celebrate
6. Create a good atmosphere
7. Inspire loyalty and team spirit
8. Have and show trust in your staff
9. Respect individual differences
10. Adapt your style to each team member
11. Encourage team members to embrace their differences
12. Let them think they know more than you (even if theydont)
13. Use positive reinforcement

MANAGE YOURSELF

1. Learn from others mistakes
2. Enjoy what you are doing
3. Be passionate butdontkill yourself
4. Manage your energy
5. Be a good listener
6. Understand the herd mentality
7. Donttake sides
8. Never lose your temper
9. Know the mission statement and understand it

MANAGE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

1. Keep your home life at home
2. No touching except for handshakes
3. Dontmisuse your authority
4. Exude confidence and energy
5. Pay attention to personal grooming
6. Be cool
7. Dontgossip
8. Dontbitch
9. Stand up for others
10. Compliment people sincerely
11. Be cheerful and positive
12. Use please and thank you
13. Dontswear
14. Only speak sense
15. Never get personal
16. Know how to handle other peoples anger

RISE TO A CHALLENGE

1. Take the rap
2. Be sensitive to friction
3. Keep track of everything you do andsay
4. Let them make mistakes
5. Make sure no one feels isolated
6. Hold your team together
7. Anticipatethreats
8. Keep calm and carry on

WIELD POWER WISELY

1. Knowledge is power
2. Be able to walk away
3. Know whoyouredealing with
4. Be authoritative
5. Be likeable
6. Know who you are
7. Be great at your job
8. Get people on your side
9. Be controlled
10. Dontgive it away

PREPARE FOR THE NEXT LEVEL

1. Big brother is watching you
2. Study the promotion system
3. Develop a game plan
4. Know yourself strengths and weaknesses
5. Dress one step ahead
6. Talk one step ahead
7. Act one step ahead
8. Think one step ahead
9. Talk of we rather than I
10. Walk the walk
11. Address corporate issues and problems
12. Spend more time with senior staff
13. Get people to assume you have already made the step
14. Prepare for the step after next
15. Be well up on new management techniques
16. Write with authority
17. Learn towritereports
18. Present like a pro
19. Capitalise on the career-enhancing moments

Know when to break the rules