Do what you say — say what you do

It sounds too simple, but this principle determines a lot. It determines how your team sees you, how your boss sees you, and also how your peers see you.

This principle decides how you are perceived by the world around you.

On one hand people talk a lot about what they are going to do - but when it comes to taking action, nothing happens. On the other hand, a lot is happening around you and people want to know what their manager is doing. If they don't know they are left with assumptions.

There is no definitive rule for this, but if you are planning to take action, tell people exactly what you are going to do. Don't say "I will take this with me", but say "I will ask X tomorrow if that's cool and then I will get back to you afterwards".

And then you also need to do it - and get back to the people you talked to about it.

It's not about showing off what you are doing, it's about keeping people informed. Nothing is worse than assumptions.