Business Tools from Dad

I’m stumped by many of today’s trending business questions: Is generative AI an opportunity or a threat? How will we resolve the debate between remote work and returning to the office? Should we feel bullish or bearish about our economic future?

When in doubt, I draw on the business tools I learned from my dad, now retired from his career as a lawyer, banker, and diplomat. He has a knack for finding straight-forward answers to complex and nuanced questions. Dad developed his own tried and true management techniques over a six-decade career, and they remain some of the best.

In honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to share my dad’s top four business tools:  

1. The Yellow Pad. Dad pulled out that yellow pad whenever we faced a major decision. He drew a line down the middle and wrote “pro” on one side and “con” on the other. Every major decision we discussed (where to go to college, is it better to invest or to save, accept the job offer… or not) was hashed out on that blued-lined paper. Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin just published a book titled, The Yellow Pad, on how to make sound decisions in an uncertain world. Dad and Secretary Rubin are of the same generation, but this is a practice for anyone – of any age—grappling with big questions.
2. The In-Person Meeting. “I’ve got to go see the guy,” I heard my dad say many times over the years. He was sure that the conflict to be handled or the favor to be asked would land better if he delivered it in person. Sometimes people were caught off-guard when Dad showed up at their door. More often than not, they were happy to see him, invited him in for a coffee and a chat. Dropping by has become increasingly rare with the options to text, email or Zoom. During the pandemic, introverts like me were comfortable living behind the screen.  Still, I’m with Dad and all in on human-to-human contact. It’s the key to understanding our world and ourselves more clearly.
3. The Hand-Written Note. I’ve saved most of the letters my dad has written me. When I left for college, he tucked a note (written on yellow pad paper) into my purse. It said, “Remember, your reputation is your most precious asset.” That phrase became both my personal mantra and my professional philosophy as I’ve sought to build brands and corporate reputations. Writing something—by hand, in ink, with intentionality—carries weight. If something is important to you, show it by taking the time to craft a letter. Then put a stamp on it and drop it in the mailbox. Words conveyed in writing have a better chance of becoming part of a permanent record in the receiver’s mind.
4. The Bench. Dad has a bench in his back yard. It’s where he goes to smoke a cigar and hold a meaningful conversation. An invitation to the bench may mean Dad has a lesson to impart, a question to ask, or an issue to unpack. On the bench, my mind and my heart open to new possibilities. I now have a bench in my backyard too. Even if you don’t have a physical bench, I encourage you to find a space where you can daydream, explore creative approaches, and welcome new thought partners.

These simple concepts have yielded exceptional results. What are your best tools for managing through tough choices and important decisions? Who is the person who shared your favorite go-to business tools?