The First Two Rules of Leadership: Dont be Stupid, Dont be a Jerk

Achieve Extraordinary Results With Class

"Leading this way will result in an engaged, inspired and highly productive team while also being more fun and fulfilling for the leader."
KIP TINDELL, Co–Founder and Chairman, The Container Store, listed on Fortune′s top 100 places to work for 14 years in a row

"Simple, practical and profound rules to help you become a great leader."
LORRAINE GRUBBS, former Director of Employment, Southwest Airlines

"David Cottrell′s latest book is a must–read for any leader. It simplifies the complexity of leadership into two simple rules. Read, then implement and get ready for sustained leadership success."
PAT WILLIAMS, Orlando Magic senior vice president, Author of The Success Intersection

"This book helps leaders lead with clarity, integrity and focus."
JON GORDON, author of The Energy Bus and The Carpenter

"Author David Cottrell shares valuable insights on how to be the leader others will strive to emulate a leader who teaches teams to strike a balance between creative freedom and management, ultimately helping people deliver innovation and results. With acumen and sincerity, The First Two Rules of Leadership succinctly lays out a sustained methodology for hiring smart, coaching performance and leading with poise."
KIMBERLY RATH, President, Talent Plus, Inc., recognized as an Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplace

"Two simple rules of leadership that will improve your effectiveness as a leader ."
T. MICHAEL GLENN, Executive Vice President, FedEx

"This book simplifies the complexities of leadership down to two logical, necessary rules: Make smarter decisions and lead with class."
KARL KOCH, Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Holdings

If you want to achieve extraordinary results with class, follow The First Two Rules of Leadership: Don′t be Stupid, Don′t be a Jerk. It will help improve morale, decrease turnover, increase everyone′s job satisfaction, and you will have a whole lot more fun leading.

Introduction vii

DON T BE STUPID 1

Don t Be Stupid Hire Smart 3

Don t Be Stupid Coach Smart 11

Don t Be Stupid Deal with the Sleeping Stars 21

Don t Be Stupid Synchronize 29

Don t Be Stupid Concentrate 39

Don t Be Stupid Value Integrity 53

DON T BE A JERK 65

Don t Be a Jerk Listen Up 69

Don t Be a Jerk Make a Decision 79

Don t Be a Jerk Answer Why 89

Don t Be a Jerk Encourage 97

Don t Be a Jerk Attack Complacency 105

Don t Be a Jerk Lead with Confidence 113

Winning with Class 123

Notes 127

Acknowledgments 131

About the Author 133

Three Ways to Bring The First Two Rules of Leadership into Your Organization 135

Everyone Needs to Lead 137

The First Two Rules of Leadership Package 139

Other Books by David Cottrell 141

Index 143

DAVID COTTRELL is president and CEO of CornerStone Leadership. He is a premier authority on leadership who has mentored leaders at many of today′s most successful organizations. An internationally known author, educator, and speaker, he is author of more than twenty–five books, including the bestselling Monday Morning Leadership. He can be reached at www.CornerStoneLeadership.com.