The, Rules of Work, 4th Edition

RULE 10

Don’t give it away

There’s no point in following all these Rules and acquiring real power and authority if you’re going to give it away once you’ve got it. And yet it’s astounding how many people do just that – if they ever manage to gain it in the first place.

So how do they do it? They ask or expect or allow other people to look after them in some way. They don’t take responsibility for themselves and their decisions. It’s like letting your mum do your washing^*– you undermine your own authority. If you want to retain power and respect, you have to make your own decisions and stick by them. You must do your work yourself. Obviously a good manager delegates, but there are tasks which shouldn’t be delegated. You know what they are. You ...