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.
Apr 10, 2013
The Midas Rule lets me paraphrase the famous phrase about teaching others.
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."How about:
"Give people fish and you feed them for a day. Teach them... to fish, hunt, or farm whatever-the-hell they want and you've spread the Midas rule.
Mar 8, 2013
This is the Magnetic Midas rule, I learned from a previous boss:
Midas Rule isn't about who you are, it's about what you do. Now go forth and touch things!
If you do well at something, you get to keep doing it.This complements Peter's Principle concept of rising to one's level of incompetence. Sometimes you want to avoid the appearance of being good at something. Other times that's what you want to do.
Midas Rule isn't about who you are, it's about what you do. Now go forth and touch things!
Mar 1, 2013
Midas Rule applies when addressing what sounds like whining. It applies less to legitimate complaints, especially from stakeholders.
But how can you tell if it's whining? Are these whining statements?
- "I don't like what's for dinner."
- "This software should do this."
- "No one remembered my birthday again!"
- "Aw, I stepped in poo."
You might be responding to a whine if you want to say, "it's your own fault," "do something about it," or "what do you want me to do about it?"
However, it's not a whine if you should be responding to this person or someone is responsible for the problem. For example:
- "I don't like what's served, this is not what I ordered."
- "This software should do this, as described in the requirements."
- "Mommy, why didn't anyone come to my birthday party?"
- "I stepped in your dog's poo."
These aren't whines, they're legitimate complaints. You don't say, "By Midas Rule honey, you should have invited your preschool friends to your party."
How do we tell the difference? Whining is easy and sometimes fun, but it doesn't fix things.
Legitimate complaints are made by actual stakeholders that have a vested interest in the results and you're responsible to help in the situation.
- If your competition complains about your product or service, you don't have to listen to them.
- If your employees complain about your product or service, you might consider what they say and maybe by Midas Rule, you let them improve it.
- If your customers or other important stakeholders complain about your product or service, be very careful when to apply Midas Rule on them.
But by all means, take the initiative and care enough to call Midas Rule for yourself to find a way to fix it.
Feb 22, 2013
Most project management processes include a step where team members identify things like scope and expectations in addition to the project "deliverables."
Depending on your environment, a deliverable might be called a:
Who might include either a list of types of things that the Midas Rule applies to or even better, a List of Things That Midas Rule Doesn't Apply To.
Example:
Depending on your environment, a deliverable might be called a:
- Activity
- Documentation
- Milestone
- Requirement
- Story
- Task
Who might include either a list of types of things that the Midas Rule applies to or even better, a List of Things That Midas Rule Doesn't Apply To.
Example:
- Your preference for working hours may or may not apply depending on the type of work and work environment
- Whether you work in person, at a specific location, or remotely from home
- How you dress, what and where you eat, or who you associate with (note a list of "Midas Rule applies" things could get very long)
The List of Things That Midas Rule Doesn't Apply To, might be better phrased as, "We Need Consensus on These Important Things." Everything else, Midas Rules unless there's a problem.
Feb 15, 2013
The Midas Rule doesn't work well with critical decisions that need consensus and agreement from participants.
Examples for when you should avoid claiming Midas Rule:
If your actions would create an unfair burden on someone else, you're just bullying when saying, "I care so much about this you just have to do it my way." Midas Rule doesn't apply.
Sometimes you might give permission via Midas Rule but multiple people want different outcomes for the same thing:
"Let me choose!"
"No let me choose!"
Then:
Examples for when you should avoid claiming Midas Rule:
- When someone or some group is specifically responsible for a decision
- Relocating the family, the business, or someone's parking spot
- When multiple people want different outcomes
If your actions would create an unfair burden on someone else, you're just bullying when saying, "I care so much about this you just have to do it my way." Midas Rule doesn't apply.
Sometimes you might give permission via Midas Rule but multiple people want different outcomes for the same thing:
"Let me choose!"
"No let me choose!"
Then:
- That thing was apparently more important than you had assumed
- Ideally, get the people to work together. If you care about the process and getting a win-win, then by Midas Rule work it out together, as a team.
- Add the thing to the List of Things That Midas Rule Doesn't Apply To
Feb 8, 2013
When people voice their complaints or issues, it sometimes makes sense to call "Midas Rule" and encourage them to fix the problem themselves.
For example when someone says, "Someone might trip on this toy" they are either:
For example when someone says, "Someone might trip on this toy" they are either:
- Asking someone else to pick up the toy
- Complaining about a child or the tidiness of the child's parent
"By the Midas Rule, you have the ability to pick up the toy and you obviously care about it, please pick it up."If on the other hand, Midas Rule doesn't apply if the complainer happens to be any of the following:
- Your mom or other older relative
- Your significant other or wife (the correct response is either "yes dear" or getting the child to pick up the toy)
- A young child who can't possibly move the toy
One more example:
"Landlord, my roof is leaking!"
Incorrect response: "By Midas Rule, feel free to fix it."
Better: "We'll send someone over and fix it first thing tomorrow."
The tenant might reply, "That's too late, by Midas Rule I'll fix it now and send you an invoice."
The landlord could even claim Midas Rule once more with, "No that's okay, I send someone right over."
See? It's a combination of who gives a shit more plus who's responsible for the issue.
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