11 Rules for Success in Life as Told by the Best in Business
In August of last year, a Reddit user posted the image below with the following caption. “When I was hired by Apple in 2004, these ‘rules for success’ were attached to the back of my employee badge. Words to live by.”
I first read these rules and took them as another example that it is not an accident the most successful companies are where they are. They have built a certain culture, a certain way of doing things, that sets them apart.
When I reread these rules, I thought they are not only guidelines for success in business, but for success in life. Here’s what Apple’s best business practices can teach us all about how to be our best every single day.
1. Let go of the old, make the most of the future.
We make mistakes, have bad days, weeks, or months. We disappoint people and disappoint ourselves. All of these things are unavoidable but what we do have control over is how we react to them.
We can choose to wallow in the past and focus on events we cannot change or we can choose to reflect, move on, and use these events as valuable learning experiences to improve our futures.
2. Always tell the truth, we want to hear the bad news sooner rather than later.
We often avoid things we know to be true, putting them off to be dealt with at a later date. Maybe we are unhappy at work but fail to talk to anyone about it or we are in a stale relationship but don’t share how we are feeling.
What should you be dealing with right now that you are putting off? How would taking action today improve your life in the long run?
3. The highest level of integrity is expected, when in doubt, ask.
Integrity is a measure of the quality of your character. Too often we let our integrity slide. Maybe we exaggerate when telling a story to make ourselves sound cooler or we make up an excuse for being late that isn’t 100% truthful.
What do you do when no one is looking? When there might not be any consequences to your actions? The person you are in these moments defines your character.
4. Learn to be a good businessperson, not just a good salesperson.
Transactional thinking often rules how we operate. We focus on what we can gain from a relationship rather than what we can offer and we often forget that the people in our lives are… people.
We do not always have to sell ourselves or sell a product. Focus on building relationships because you have something to offer, not because you need something in return. Take the time to show you care for others beyond what they can do to improve your life.
5. Everyone sweeps the floor.
Do not shy away from doing the dirty work. The best leaders take on the shittiest jobs. They watch while their team eats and, if there is enough left, they feed themselves.
We should never put ourselves above a job that needs to get done, no matter our position or rank. The most successful people show others that they are willing to do whatever it takes. They inspire others with their selflessness.
6. Be professional in your style, speech; and follow-up.
These days, we communicate in so many ways — in person, over the phone, email, chat platforms, social media. How you come across in every one of these environments matters.
Take the time to edit what you write, do your best to avoid typos (even if we always don’t), make sure you have the right tone for the right situation. Taking the time to be pleasant instead of simply demanding can make all of the difference.
7. Listen to the customer, they almost always get it.
Customers offer a perspective on outputs — they interact with a product or experience and have direct feedback on that interaction. Too often companies fail to gather that perspective or ignore it if they do get it.
We do the same thing in our personal lives. Take the time to ask the people experiencing your outputs for their perspectives. Your co-workers, friends, significant other — get their thoughts on how you are performing and what you could be doing better.
And then listen.
8. Create win/win relationships with our partners.
We all have partners and it is important that all of those relationships are a benefit for each party involved. We discussed the importance of giving of yourself in relationships above, but the other side is also true.
It is important to make sure you are receiving in your partnerships. If you are only giving, your relationships will be strained, unhealthy, and you will become resentful. Ensure both parties are gaining and your relationships will blossom.
9. Look out for each other, sharing information is a good thing.
Share your knowledge with those around you. Getting a leg up by keeping knowledge for yourself at the expense of someone else is not worth it.
Openness, transparency, and a genuine concern for the well-being of everyone around you lift an entire team.
10. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Taking yourself too seriously lends itself to having an ego, being quick to feel threatened, and diminishing your relatability.
Be able to laugh at yourself — your quirks, mistakes, and faults. Crack jokes at your own expense. Openly address your weaknesses and shortcomings. Life is too short to waste time trying to prove you are perfect.
11. Have fun, otherwise it’s not worth it.
If you are not enjoying the journey then what the hell are you doing? All of the success, accolades, and money is not worth you wasting your life not having fun.
Find what sets your soul on fire, what makes you hop out of bed each morning without hitting snooze, what gives you goosebumps. Do that thing and enjoy every second of it.
Words to live by.
It is worth noting that not a single rule on Apple’s list dealt with intelligence or talent or innovation. The 11 rules they offer are all things we can start doing right now, without cost or training.
It is not only ability that drives success. It is the intangibles — having impeccable character, building relationships, being selfless, laughing, and enjoying every second of the journey.
Get after it.
