The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less

by Richard Koch

3: ONLY WORK FOR AN 80/20 BOSS What is an 80/20 boss? Someone who consciously or unconsciously follows the principle. By their works you shall know them: • They focus on very few things—the ones that make a BIG difference to their customers, and, if they still have them, their bosses (hopefully a temporary arrangement—the best 80/20 bosses are not themselves constrained by a boss). • They are going places fast. • They are rarely short of time, and never flustered. They are usually relaxed and happy, not workaholics. • They look to their people for a few valuable outputs. They pay no attention to inputs such as time and sweat. • They take the time to explain to you what they are doing, and why. • They encourage you to focus on what delivers the greatest results with the least effort. • They praise you when you deliver great results, but are constructively critical when you don’t—and suggest that you either stop doing something unimportant or do something important in a more effective way. • When they trust you, they leave you alone and encourage you to come to them when you need guidance.