I have worked as the Executive Director of a community mental health, substance misuse, housing, and abuse recovery agency for the past fourteen years. Presently the organization I work for has just under 100 employees, multiple local partners, and a very significant and daunting mission. It is a demanding job with an agency that is making a difference in our community.  For those of you in similar positions you know that being in charge comes with challenges. As the years have gone by I find myself filing away simple little principles for my behavior that help me do my job more effectively. They are things I tell myself when I feel like taking a shortcut. Some of them apply to how I represent our agency. Some apply to how I make decisions. Some apply to how I treat others. None of them are terribly earth shattering but if you tuck then away and use them as reminders they can help keep you on track. 

1. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed.
2. It is better to over-communicate important information than under-communicate important information.
3. It is better to over-plan an intervention or change than under-plan an intervention or change.
4. It is better to over-prepare for a presentation than under-prepare for a presentation.
5. It is better to be early for an appointment or meeting than late to an appointment or meeting.
6. It is better to leave more-than-enough time to get a project done than not enough time to get a project done. 
7. It is better to go overboard with thank-yous and appreciation than under acknowledge or not acknowledge people’s contributions and generosity.
8. It is better to listen for a long time without speaking  than to not listen long enough. 
9. It is better to get advice and perspectives from many people  than fail to get enough advice. 
10. It is better to err on the side of generosity than fail to extend grace, mercy, or resources to someone in need. 

Thanks for reading. Blessings to you.

Jerry