Page 258 - Ray Dalio - Principles

b. Know that nobody can see themselves objectively.
c. Teach and reinforce the merits of mistake-based learning.

3.5 Know what types of mistakes are acceptable and what types are
unacceptable, and don’t allow the people who work for you to make
the unacceptable ones.
4 Get and Stay in Sync
4.1 Recognize that conflicts are essential for great relationships because
they are how people determine whether their principles are aligned
and resolve their differences.

a. Spend lavishly on the time and energy you devote to getting in sync,
because it’s the best investment you can make.

4.2 Know how to get in sync and disagree well.
a. Surface areas of possible out-of-syncness.
b. Distinguish between idle complaints and complaints meant to lead to
improvement.
c. Remember that every story has another side.

4.3 Be open-minded and assertive at the same time.
a. Distinguish open-minded people from closed-minded people.
b. Don’t have anything to do with closed-minded people.
c. Watch out for people who think it’s embarrassing not to know.

d. Make sure that those in charge are open-minded about the questions
and comments of others.

e. Recognize that getting in sync is a two-way responsibility.
f. Worry more about substance than style.
g. Be reasonable and expect others to be reasonable.

h. Making suggestions and questioning are not the same as criticizing, so
don’t treat them as if they are.
4.4 If it is your meeting to run, manage the conversation.

a. Make it clear who is directing the meeting and whom it is meant to
serve.

b. Be precise in what you’re talking about to avoid confusion.
c. Make clear what type of communication you are going to have in light
of the objectives and priorities.
d. Lead the discussion by being assertive and open-minded.
e. Navigate between the different levels of the conversation.
f. Watch out for “topic slip.”

g. Enforce the logic of conversations.
h. Be careful not to lose personal responsibility via group decision
making.
i. Utilize the “two-minute rule” to avoid persistent interruptions.
j. Watch out for assertive “fast talkers.”