I've had this list of rules on my desk for about 15 years. It was given to me by my first really great boss.
A Japanese visitor recently noticed it and was amazed to see a copy translated into English . . . sitting in Sydney, Australia. He told me that in Japan the list is known as the Ten Spartan Rules— I like that.
1. Create work for yourself; don't wait for work to be assigned to you.
2. Take an active role in all your endeavours, not a passive one.
3. Seek out large and complex jobs. Trivial tasks debase you.
4. Welcome difficult assignments. Choose them. Progress lies in accomplishing difficult work.
5. Once you begin a task, complete it. Never give up.
6. Lead your fellow workers. Be an example for them to follow.
7. Set goals for yourself to ensure a constant sense of purpose. This will give you perseverance and hope for the future.
8. Move with confidence. Confidence gives your work force, focus and substance.
9. Find new solutions. This is the way we ensure satisfactory service.
10. When conflict is necessary don't shy away from it or be afraid. Conflict is the mother of progress and the source of aggressive enterprise. If you fear conflict, you will become timid and servile.
This take me back about ten years ago. I too had a copy of this list when I was a junior advertising exec. My translation was slightly different though.
As I remember, the rules were written by the CEO of Dentsu, the Japanese agency, for his staff. The Dentsu employees were so aggressive and worked so hard that they were known as Dentsu Demons in the industry! Hence the name given to the list in the West.
Posted by: Oliver | July 05, 2009 at 10:45 PM
No wonder over 30,000 people commit suicide in Japan each year!
Posted by: John Conner | July 05, 2009 at 11:01 PM