Mark Harmon plays NCIS special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
They say TV rots your brain. But doesn’t that depend on what you watch?
If you’re a fan of “NCIS,” you may have actually learned something about leadership and management from the lead character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Gibbs is a former U.S. Marine sniper turned special agent who works and lives by his own special set of no-nonsense rules.
These rules define who he is and how he manages his team.
Of course, not all of Gibbs’ rules can be applied to business, but here are 13 worth tweaking for your environment.
NOTE: Since Gibbs’ rules have never been written down (it is a TV show after all), there is often more than one rule for any given number. Rule #1 and Rule #3 are perfect examples.
Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together
Now you may say, “I’m not a detective! What does this have to do with me?” But think of it this way: If you’re trying to get to the bottom of a situation in your department, wouldn’t you talk to people separately to get their personal take on it?
Initially, you wouldn’t talk to people together, because they’re less likely to be 100% honest. Maybe they’re afraid of the other person, or maybe they just don’t want anyone else to know they screwed up.
Talking to people one-on-one can help get to the bottom of things faster.
(Another) Rule #1: Never screw over your partner
I think this one is self-explanatory, whether you’re a special agent or a resourceful manager. Screwing people over, who trust you and work with you, will result in them not trusting you. So don’t do it.
Rule #3: Don’t believe what you’re told. Double-check
Don’t believe what you hear unless it’s from an official source. Find out for yourself what the truth is. And if something doesn’t look or feel right to you, whether it is numbers or something said in a meeting, double-check it yourself.
(Another) Rule #3: Never be unreachable
This is a rule all managers should take to heart. That doesn’t mean you can’t shut your door to work on an important project or take a vacation, but rather always be there for your employees.
Let them know you are there to help and support them.
Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself
OK, if you have to, you can tell one other person, according to Gibbs, but that’s it. Remember loose lips sink ships, and few people are good at keeping secrets.
So, if there’s something that needs to be kept under wraps, zip it.
Rule #5: You don’t waste good
You can interpret this however you want. My take on this is: If you have a great employee who would fit better somewhere else or in a higher position, don’t let how long he or she has been at the company affect your decision to move or promote the person. Just do it.
Rule #8: Never take anything for granted
This phrase can have many different meanings. In the business world, you could interpret it as, if an opportunity presents itself, jump on it. It may not be there tomorrow. Or another take, don’t assume all your employees are happy and fulfilled.
Talk to them and find out for sure, or they could leave thinking you don’t care.
Rule #15: Always work as a team
The “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself” way of thinking has no place in a resourceful manager’s handbook. Working as a team increases collaboration, allows for brainstorming and produces more ideas.
Rule #28: When you need help, ask
Plain and simple, struggling to do something yourself wastes time and energy.
Rule #36: If you feel like you are being played, you probably are
Not everyone you work with is going to be a good person. There will always be those few who are out to climb the ladder no matter who they step on or stab in the back. If you feel like someone in the office is trying to manipulate you, he probably is.
Call a spade a spade, and don’t play the game!
Rule #45: Clean up the mess that you make
Look, no one is perfect. Even the best leaders and managers make mistakes. What makes you a quality leader/manager is if you own up to your mistakes and fix them.
Rule #51: Sometimes you’re wrong
Yep, believe it or not, sometimes managers make the wrong decisions. It sucks, but we all survive. Accept it and move on.
Employees will respect you for owning up to it.
Rule #62: Always give people space when they get off an elevator
It always amazes me, as soon as elevator doors open people rush to get on without letting people off. Hello … you need to let people out to make room to enter the elevator!
That’s the literal interpretation.
But if you want to look deeper into Rule #62, maybe Gibbs is saying when people are just starting a job or taking on a new project, you should give them space to explore it on their own.
If they make a mistake, hopefully they’ll learn from it. But if you don’t give them space to explore and learn, they’ll stay in the same little box they’ve been in and stagnate.
Do you have any life/business rules you live by? If so, we’d love to hear about them in the comment box below.
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If a new employee is not working out, do the right thing for your team, yourself, and even the affected employee by letting them go at that first inkling that its not going to work.
Exactly … I let one employee go after 7 hours.
Nice list. #5 is something that many companies don’t do they just move the bad fits out the door or keep the stars in a lower level position.
Thanks Derek, glad you like the list! And it’s true what you said about #5. Many companies are guilty of it.
Sometimes, actually very often, that new employee is struggling for a very obvious reason…lack of proper training. How many have been hired, teamed to another employee (who may be disgruntled, jealous, insecure) who has no idea of how to train someone else, they just go through the motions and hope the new person catches on. I’m not referring to a real mentor here. Well, that boils down to the simple truth that management has failed to address the proper training of new people within their organization. I’ve seen it and it’s usually because the manager or supervisor just doesn’t want to be bothered or doesn’t know how to do the job. A manager is a person with a title, but that doesn’t mean the manager is capable or competent. “Sink or swim” just doesn’t cut it in today’s working climate.
#5 also means that maybe they’re good somewhere else. Just because they fouled up in one position doesn’t mean can them. If everything is good with them — attitude, team player, integrity ect but they just can’t do the job they’re in, then find something else for them to do but don’t get rid of them.
#62 is also about safety and security. Don’t get caught up in the jam trying to get through the door. You risk injury or loss in the melee.
Then there’s the potential missed opportunity. You never know who/what is trying to get on the elevator at the same time.
Christian, I like your interpretations! Thanks for adding them.
“never screw over your partner” Never burn bridges, you may never know how that person or company may affect your future. It is also just plain unprofessional.
“never be unreachable” Every manager i train I start off and end with, I am here for you. I tell them to always reach out to me whether is is in my “area” or not; if I don’t have the answer, I will find the answer for them. I never want one of my managers or any employee to feel that they have no “life line”.
You forgot Rule #9. Never go anywhere without a knife.