Category: 1-Minute Strategy

First, what they should do next. Second, why that activity is important. And third, how to use resources to get it done.

First, express the main point in a sentence or two. Second, find ideas or anecdotes that support the main point. Third, eliminate some points, since you probably have too many. Finally, create a good wrap-up, such as a solution.

When tempted to postpone a decision, ask: What will I know tomorrow that I don’t know today? Make the best choice you can and move on.

Resist the urge to do “one more thing” before you head to a meeting. Instead, take along something you can work on as you wait for others to arrive.

Intuit founder Scott Cook’s first rule: “Be humble about your importance, and about how many answers you know and about how much you don’t know (which is always more than you think).”

Negotiate from strength by choosing situations in which you can afford to walk away from the table. The other side will work harder to win you over.

Keep your writing style clear and simple by pretending to write to a single person. Warren Buffett, whom a national writing commission recently lauded for his ability to clearly explain complex ideas, says that he imagines he’s writing to his sister when drafting his company’s annual report.

Listen for colleagues to make statements like “if only I had …” or “I could really use ….” Then try to offer them your help, even if they aren’t asking for it outright.

Devote at least half your attention to your star team members, challenging them to exceed goals, gain new skills and take prudent risks. Hotshots deserve at least as much attention as poor performers.

Rather than simply reject your boss’s request to run a team project, give a conditional yes. “I’d be happy to run this project once we …”