Maranda's Rules

Rule 1: Get The Job Done Completely

Do the job well and take care of business. “Own” the assignment or issue. Anticipate problems and handle issues. Communicate effectively. No surprises. Minimize interactions. Give Executive Summaries. Don’t pass the ball or part of it. Put yourself in your manager’s shoes and anticipate the questions they will ask. Have the answers to those questions, before you approach them.

Rule 2: Make Things Happen

Always try to make things better. Don’t except status quo. Challenge. Ask why, why, why. How can we make this better, faster, cheaper, etc.? You must discover something that you can improve, enlarge and enlighten. It almost always involves some sort of process or organizational change. It also helps to do this at a higher organizational level than you currently are at and/or has broader/global effect. And…it at some point needs to be visible to the folks that count and have the WOW factor. Rule 2 will get you noticed and thus will open doors for future opportunities and get you promoted.

Rule 3: Validate The Facts

Build a strong foundation of information especially when trying to solve a problem. Don’t assume that the information someone is telling you is correct. Find out the facts for yourself. It often takes very little time to double check something. Don’t react immediately when someone states something you think may not be true. Say hmmm, that’s interesting then go investigate – unless you have already validated the facts. Note: This is situational. Don’t get paralyzed and over analyze a situation. Use the 80/20 rule.

Rule 4: Build People

Help people and be a team player. You can only do so much yourself. Help someone else get better, smarter, faster… Give honest feedback frequently, both motivational (positive) and formative (constructive). Feedback should always help people to learn and grow.

Rule 5: Use The Good-Old Boy/Girl Network

Establish and build relationships with people. You can be much more effective when working with someone if you know them. Right or wrong…it’s not what you know but who you know.