Posted: Sep 13, 07 5:01pm

You may have noticed that I finally uploaded a picture for this group.

It wasn't easy to find a picture that goes with what we want to discuss and learn (I avoided climbing the mountain, handshake, manager at his/her desk, etc. photos).

So I picked the cover of one of the first books I recommend to new coaching clients: First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.

It's not new (published in 1999).

I love this book for two primary reasons:

1. There is science behind it. The authors were both at Gallup when the book was published, and Gallup simply rocks when it comes to taking "soft" skills like managing, leading, and employee engagement and connecting them to "hard" data.

2. I feel it allows, lets, encourages managers and leaders to at least think about breaking some of the rules they've held tight since they first joined the management ranks.

I'll start the discussion and share one "rule" that I break and have broken as a manager and leader. This is something that if you read quite a few books and talk to a lot of people, you'd hear, "Don't do this."

Share what "rules" you break.

And if you don't know this book, get to know really soon!