Elicit ideas from the individual. As
a rule, I don’t really like committees or committee decisions. I
don’t think committees have the
backbone to make a hard decision that individuals do.
Usually, when a committee
meeting breaks up, the only
thing I’m sure of is that the
majority of the committee is
going to like the decision.
Whether or not it’s good for the
organization, we’ll see.
I care about the best decision
for the firm. Everybody’s got
good ideas. Some are expected
to have them. Some might not
be expected to have them.
When you hear any, you’ve got
to say, ‘Thank you,’ and if it’s a
good idea, you do something
about it.
If people feel that you have listened and considered it and that
you’re doing something, it
makes them feel better about
themselves and their opinions. It
encourages them to think about
more things.
Pop overinflated egos. To me, the
ego’s sort of like a coat. You put
on this coat, and you … act really important. If you think you
need an ego to conduct those
activities, fine.
Just when you get into this
office, take that coat off. You do
not wear that coat of ego
around this office.
Cockiness and confidence are
almost the same. The only thing
separating them is the Grand
Canyon. Sometimes, people do
it because they think they
should. It’s sort of a defense
mechanism. It’s almost like
you’re out in the jungle and
you’ve got to act and look tough.
I tell people, ‘You don’t have to
be omnipotent. You don’t have
to know everything. You don’t
have to do everything. You’re
allowed to make mistakes. I don’t care about mistakes. We’re
all allowed to make mistakes.’
When your ego gets involved,
the biggest thing isn’t not making a mistake; it’s not admitting
you’ve made a mistake.
Don’t sell your principles. I make
some decisions based on
money, but I make many decisions based on principles. It
makes me sleep better at night.
You should know who you are
and then act like who you are.
Don’t let it be compromised all
the time. You’ve got to stick by
your guns.
Having principles also makes
life easier because you know
who and what you are. If your
principles get eroded, pretty
soon you’re not exactly sure
what you are.
HOW TO REACH: Roetzel & Andress, (330) 376-2700 or www.ralaw.com
