Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Manage by Proverbs?

I. Lay a Personal Foundation for Success

1.      Devote Your Work to the Real Boss

2.      Prioritize Family over Work

3.      Be Humble

4.      Assemble an Accountability Group

5.      Perfect Your People Skills

II. Excel at the Essentials

6.      Think of Profit as a Means, Not an End

7.      Plan Persistently

8.      Design a Decision Tree

9.      Execute with Excellence

III. Build a Competitive Workforce

10.  Measure Twice, Hire Once

11.   Offer Applicants a Realistic Job Preview

12.   Select Carefully Your Management Team

13.   Invest in Employee Training

IV. Cultivate a Culture of Commitment

14.   Build Organizational Trust

15.   Alleviate Employee Stress

16.   Value Employee Input

17.   Develop Employee Careers

V. Measure and Reward Performance

18.   Measure Performance Validly

19.   Deliver Criticism with Care

20.  Reward Employees with Praise

21.   Reward Employees with Profits

VI. Control Workplace Conflict

22. Restrain Workplace Gossip

23. Ensure Due Process

24. Terminate Troublemakers

Epilogue: A Strategy for Continuous Improvement