Over a decade ago, the Dalai Lama proposed the 18 Rules of living, a set of simple yet philosophical pointers to aid the journey to living a fulfilling and worthwhile life. Anyone deemed to be successful in life appears to display an array of distinct qualities.
Some people have a different face they show in life and a different one in business. Now the world of social media has breached these boundaries and a key factor is that when you meet people in real life they are nothing like the image they portray via social media -- and how can this be good branding? Most great leaders are exactly as they come across; their websites, dress sense and logo truly represent who they are -- somehow really true to themselves -- authentic. The way they live their life and the way they run their business is one and the same; so what if we took the 18 Rules of Living and applied them to business -- what could we learn? Here goes.
Explanation one being living and the second business, please see the points below:
1. Take into account that great love and great achievement involves great risk.
Great results and great growth involve great risks.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Failure always teaches us more than our successes. Learn, reflect then apply.
3. Follow the 3 R's
•Respect for self
•Respect for others
•Responsibility for all your actions
Respect of self -- value your achievements and acknowledge your deficits as without both you cannot develop.
Respect others; be open minded to what they may be able to teach you. Respect of self and others, alongside responsibility, are essential leadership qualities.
Respect has to be given before it can be received and is correlated to the level of responsibility for your actions you are willing to take.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Remember that flawed deal, the PHEW you felt that it fell through and the better opportunity that followed. Sometimes life has a way to taking us in directions we should have chosen for ourselves.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Being creative and innovative in business requires you to know the rules and break them - and the boundaries/limitations simultaneously! Watch the mavericks -- they see opportunities where others see limitations and failure.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
Business relationships are like any others and involve ups and downs -- it's how you handle them that retains the relationships and defines you as a team player and leader. You don't have to agree with someone to remain a business colleague.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Getting it wrong is part of the process, make it right immediately and own it -- it's called integrity -- a highly valued commodity in business.
8. Spend some time alone everyday.
Hit the brakes regularly -- reflecting and incubating your ideas requires alone time.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Change is an essential and necessary part of business -- so is the ability to retain your values. They should be written through you/your business like a stick of rock; as they illustrate who you are. Remember, values are held by people, not buildings.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Leadership requires knowing when it's time to stay stum!
11. Live a good honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
Work with honor and integrity -- then you can reflect back with respect for yourself and those you worked with.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. The values of you and your company are the foundation to your success. Create the climate you want and use them to form and represent the culture of your business.
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
In work disagreements with colleagues, deal only with the current situation.
Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Share your skills and abilities. It's your way to leave your mark.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
Be gentle with and in business -- it's actually how greatness is shown.
16. Once a year, go some place you've never been before.
Regularly step outside your comfort zone -- its how your and your company will develop.
17. Remember that the best relationship is the one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Remember that the best business relationships are the ones that motivate, help people develop and enable everyone fulfill their potential by working at their best level.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Judge your success by how far you have come and how well you treat others. Success in some ways is what people say about you when you're not in the room.
Hope you like this take on the 18 Rules -- be very interested to hear your comments. It's how we learn, from new and alternative perspectives to our own.