When understood, accepted and supported, the “MacDonald-Miller Operating Guidelines” will open up communication and increase the flow of meaningful information. The guidelines are as follow:
- Focus on specific issues, situations, and problems; not on persons.
- Be specific; not general.
- Focus on the here and now and on observable behavior.
- When expressing personal opinions, say “I”, not “we”.
- Avoid saying “you” when you mean “I”.
- Eliminate put-down humor.
- Listen, listen, listen.
- Check it out. Ask questions.
- Eliminate finding fault and pinning blame.
- Operate in a caring way.
- Be open minded.
- Affirm everywhere; counsel in private.
- Take the responsibility to tell it like you see it.
- Commit to the decision.
- Treat everyone as your customer.
- Avoid premature closure.
- Be responsible for your own behavior.
- Make amends whenever possible.
- Have fun!