Chapter 66. Adopt Minimalism as a Management Style

Minimalism means not issuing lengthy reports. It means not issuing memos every 20 minutes. It means keeping rules to the minimum^* and letting people get on with their jobs. It means mission statements that make sense, are clear and easy to understand and are simple. It means management where managers use professionals and let them get on with their tasks in peace and quiet. It means managers who are secure in themselves and don’t need to score points, bully, or interfere.

^* No, not these Rules, I mean the petty ones—you have to wear a tie, you have to have one doughnut, not two at coffee time, you have to address senior management as Mr./Mrs. X and not use their first names, you have to park within the lines, you have to wear sensible shoes, you have to...you know what I mean.

Minimalist management is all about getting more by doing less. Yes, sure you have to be the boss, but it’s more like steering a big ship—the tiniest touch of the wheel is enough. You swing that wheel violently from side to side and you’re off course in an instant.

There is an old Chinese saying: “Govern a country the same way you cook small fish,” that is, don’t keep fiddling with them or they fall apart. Manage a department, team, or company in pretty much the same way—gently, discreetly, unobtrusively. Better to be understated than too obvious.