Aug 27, 2013
It's good to use the Midas Rule to find the right people to do the right work. I sometimes get carried away with the feeling that just because I'm willing and excited to do something suggests I'm qualified to do so.
The proper adjustment for such an attitude is to claim Midas Rule to decide the direction of a project but then find the right people to do the right work. The approach, the standard, or the process you're thinking about may already exist.
Don't fight your process, your team, or or organization in pursuit of the Midas Rule, work with them! Need a tool? Ask around if you someone uses something similar already. Want to improve or fix something? You might have a department, process, or guide in place.
By asking and giving others the opportunity to claim Midas Rule, you'll have the most motivated, enthusiastic, and qualified people working on things that matter to them. Just be sure to give the credit away and if the responsible people aren't interested, well then Midas Rule anyways. You'll find a way to make it work.
Jul 28, 2013
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Midas%20Rule
Whoever touches something first and cares the most gets to decide what to do with it.
Use the Midas Rule to encourage others to go ahead and work on what they want, or when someone's being lazy.
"Can I work on this project?" or "It'd be great if someone fixed this bug."
"Yes, by Midas Rule, feel free to work on that."
"Mom, I'm hungry."
"Yes, son. You're 16, by Midas Rule I'm sure you can find something to eat."
Whoever touches something first and cares the most gets to decide what to do with it.
Use the Midas Rule to encourage others to go ahead and work on what they want, or when someone's being lazy.
"Can I work on this project?" or "It'd be great if someone fixed this bug."
"Yes, by Midas Rule, feel free to work on that."
"Mom, I'm hungry."
"Yes, son. You're 16, by Midas Rule I'm sure you can find something to eat."
Jul 15, 2013
It's not golden, it's not the Midas Rule, it's the Petroleum rule. This is an stinky, ugly rule that has value in certain context.
Do unto others what they would have done unto you, but first.
Jul 8, 2013
Peter's Principle is the idea that people rise to their level of incompetence. It's based on the premise that people progressively get rewarded for doing well in roles. Eventually people get promoted into roles they don't quite fit.
For example good students don't always make good teachers. Good teachers may not have the right skills to be good principal.
One way to stick with what you're good at is to feign incompetence in the next possibly poor fitting role. The Midas Rule lets you adjust Peter's Principle by keeping you focused on the things that matter to you.
By Midas Rule, stay focused on what you want to do. Find more than a job or even career, find your true calling and vocation, by Midas Rule.
For example good students don't always make good teachers. Good teachers may not have the right skills to be good principal.
One way to stick with what you're good at is to feign incompetence in the next possibly poor fitting role. The Midas Rule lets you adjust Peter's Principle by keeping you focused on the things that matter to you.
By Midas Rule, stay focused on what you want to do. Find more than a job or even career, find your true calling and vocation, by Midas Rule.
Jul 2, 2013
"By Midas Rule, I'll take care of this."
But if you really really care about something and/or want to work with it first, you'll also make your path easy-to-follow. You care so much that you will go out of your way to:
But if you really really care about something and/or want to work with it first, you'll also make your path easy-to-follow. You care so much that you will go out of your way to:
- Describe or document your steps
- Explain, teach, or mentor others to do the same
- Encourage others to do the same
This is the bright side to Midas rule. You do so much and know so much, but you don't point out that you're the expert.
Instead you say, "you can be an expert." You apply the Midas Rule to your peers, encouraging them to take ownership and find their path.
Leave a legacy and culture of proactive ownership by being a good steward of the things you care about the most.
May 24, 2013
According to Wikipedia (an nice example of the "whoever cares the most" part of the Midas Rule), The Benevolent Dictator for Life or BDFL title is "given to a small number of open-source software development leaders, typically project founders who retain the final say in disputes or arguments within the community."
This lines up with the "first" and "cares the most" parts of the Midas Rule.
And that's a good thing. Go, perform your alchemy and touch, experiment with, and break stuff. Take ownership. Start your own projects or support others. The only legacy you'll leave behind is in what you worked on, what you cared about, and how you impacted others.
This lines up with the "first" and "cares the most" parts of the Midas Rule.
The Midas Rule "Whoever touches something first (takes initiative) and cares the most gets to decide what to do with it.Apparently though, sometimes it's for life.
And that's a good thing. Go, perform your alchemy and touch, experiment with, and break stuff. Take ownership. Start your own projects or support others. The only legacy you'll leave behind is in what you worked on, what you cared about, and how you impacted others.
May 15, 2013
This is a tough one. Ever get this request-wrapped-in-a-compliment?
Wow, you're so good at that! Could you do the same for me?
Variations include:
You're so responsible that I put you in charge of this very-important-task.
You're so recognized by your community. Could you share some information about my service or product?
By Midas Rule, I'm glad to take the responsibility. I'm glad to point out interesting services or products.
But by Midas Rule, be careful because I may not meet your expectations; I'll take ownership of the task or describe your service or product in the way that works for me. As needed or if asked, I'll reveal your request and disclose our relationship. And by including me in your project or campaign, don't be surprised when I give you feedback as I become part of your people, process, or technology.
By Midas Rule, you can ask for the what. If I agree, let me deal with the how. Oh and thanks for the compliment, by the way.
If you're getting the requests, appreciate the recognition. Despite the snarkiness in the post above, getting responsibilities and requests is a sign that you're trusted. In a zero-sum game where we can all win in this new gift economy, you don't always have to fight requests for your time or reputation or expertise. Leverage the requests and bring those that ask of your time into the activities you find interesting. The by Midas Rule, we all win.
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