This is something I came across one day on the web. I read through them and found I’ve accepted many of these rules long ago. They are defined as Coyotes Rules. They are:
- Take the initiative – Don’t wait for the answer from the top, it’s rarely available.
- Things are rarely fair – Don’t count on the exception
- Truth Changes – The first report is suspect
- Bad things happen – Anticipate and prepare
- Plan and Prepare as if there are no rules.
Lets look at each rule individually and I’ll explain what it means to me along with an example.
Take the Initiative – Don’t wait for an answer form the top, it’s rarely available
It’s very rare that great things just fall in your lap with no investment. Things can mean opportunity, money, things you enjoy, or anything really. Most things that you value will require you to take the first step, and consecutive steps to achieve or gain ownership. You must take the initiative to get things going in the direction you want or else they will forever go in the direction someone else wants, which may not align with your goals. Also, if you don’t take initiative, you can take ownership of the end product.
Things are rarely fair – Don’t count on the exception
It’s a truth to accept. If you expect things to be fair in every situation you will live a very unsatisfied, and potentially depressing existence. What I would suggest is if you have the power to influence fairness, do it. However, do not expect anything. The moment you expect something you set yourself up for failure. The only thing to expect is for you to make the right decision when the time comes.
Truth Changes – The first report is suspect
To me this is true to some extent. It is rare that the first story or report accurately depicts the entire story. Typically it takes talking to everyone in the encounter to get a good picture of what may have happened. You may talk to everyone involved and still be no better off then not knowing at all. So never take the first report as the final report. Ask others, talk to several folks. Even if the first report is a trusted source, collect information.
Bad things happen – Anticipate and prepare
This isn’t a negative point of view, it’s a good method to live by. Most people plan for a normal situation. They assume everything will go as planned without any issues. Then something catastrophic happens and everyone is lost. It’s a total loss and there is no recovery. What would happen if you planned for a worst case scenario? Well, when it happens you are prepared and more easily recover. If the worst case never happens, good. If it does, no biggie, you got it figured out.
Plan and Prepare as if there are no rules.
This one start walking into a grey area and relies on people to remain ethical, moral, and to act with integrity. I typically use ideology this to make my own rules. There’s been many situations where planning has questions that cannot be answers or there are no rules to define a best decision to make. At these points I tend to make up a rule that aligns with entity the work is done to support. Those rules can then be documented and retained for future scenarios. The documetation can dictate if those rules worked, or didn’t, and why. But it boils down to if there are no rules, adjust and find a way to success that is ethical, moral, and retains your integrity.