Just read Blair Singer’s book on building business teams.
The chapter on leadership rocks. Looking at good leaders, it’s as if they’re following the qualities listed word for word. I love how he broke it down and the whole part about finding what people are good at and helping them improve on that, instead of telling people to work on things they’re not good at. In many situations just by changing the approach a person can accomplish the same thing through empowerment. I also love the debreifing section. How it breaks down everything and maximizes learning from every situation.
The code of honor is interesting, very similar to part of the message in Hill’s book. Looking at my friends and groups and companies, I see the code stuff is true. The only danger is when this code gets used against the employees or “friends”, when even achieving the goal offers nothing to most of the team and most of the individuals. I guess that’s the biggest thing to think about when joining a company or group, “Do I agree with the goals and with the code?” On the other hand, such a code for a group of friends trying to help each other succeed, a marriage, any kind of mutually beneficial team, as well as for every individual makes a whole lot of sense. Looking at real friendships, good marriages, and successful companies, if they didn’t follow such a code, they couldn’t perform at such a level.
I think keeping both sides in mind gives a really good picture of the dynamics in many relationships and helps one evaluate whether the relationship is a waste or worthwhile one (one that improves the community, the team, and you as person). It also gives a special sense of clarity to working under pressure. I think this is great book, but when reading it one should keep some of the previously mentioned questions in mind as well. I can’t wait to read SalesDogs.