Wednesday, December 17, 2014

What Would Ernest Do? 7 Leadership Lessons and Ways to Increase Productivity from Ernest Hemingway





I recommend these 7 Lessons presented by Ty Hall on Profiles International's Workplace 101 Blog.      ~ David Parsley

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I’d have a difficult time telling you my favorite author. But, gun to my head, I’d have to say Ernest Hemingway. I read The Old Man and the Sea when I was nine, and I learned about perseverance. I read The Sun Also Rises when I was 22 and it helped put a nasty breakup in perspective, getting me out of a slump. In fact, emulating Hemingway (while trying to abandon some of his bad habits) is one of the reasons I really became a writer. I’ve learned a lot from the man refered to as “Tatie,” including ways to increase productivity and be a more effective leader. Even if you’re not a writer, there are some things you can glean from Hemingway’s methods.


1. Keep things simple.
Hemingway allegedly wrote the shortest story in written history: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” In my opinion, he effectively surmised modern masculinity in less than 12,000 words with The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber. To get to the point, be brief. To increase productivity, get rid of as much extraneous distraction as possible.

2. Don’t talk too much.
Almost the same as above—but more about work—don’t talk about what you’re doing or how hard you work—just get it done. Hemingway said that when talking about work, it loses “whatever butterflies have on their wings and the arrangement of hawk’s feathers if you show it or talk about it.” Improving productivity will reverse when you spend time talking about it instead of actually doing it.

3. Learn from the best, and keep improving.
Hemingway studied literary  masters to ultimately beat them at their strengths. Sure it was arrogant, but it made him that much better. Effective leaders study and try to improve upon other effective leaders. Another lesson to be learned in this line is to.....  LINK TO FULL BLOG POST

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