Question 1

The first Winning Habit: Be first on, last off, and add extra value!

Accepted Answer

The first Winning Habit is about being the first one to arrive and the last one to leave, while also adding extra value to everything you do. This habit was inspired by the story of Tony Gwynn, a renowned baseball player, who was known for his dedication and extra effort in preparing for his games. He was always the first one to show up for practice and the last one to leave, putting in more effort and work than anyone else. This wasn't just busy work, but a meaningful, higher level of contribution.

This habit is about more than just putting in extra hours. It's about making a meaningful contribution and going the extra mile in everything you do. It's about being prepared and ready for your moment of truth, just like Tony Gwynn was for his games. This habit becomes a defining element of your character, something you do all the time, not just once in a while.

The habit of being first on, last off, and adding extra value can be applied to various aspects of life, not just work. Whether it's meetings, presentations, problem-solving sessions, or any other task, being the first one there and the last one to leave, while also adding extra value, can make a significant difference. This habit can set you up for consistent success and make you a pacesetter.

To make this habit a part of your life, you need to consciously apply it to your everyday activities. Keep a journal and note all the times when you either applied the habit or could have and didn't. Review your day and make a note about what you'll do differently the next day. This habit, like any other, requires practice and consistency to become a part of your character.

Question 2

The second Winning Habit: Never trade results for excuses!

Accepted Answer

The second Winning Habit is 'Never trade results for excuses'. This habit emphasizes the importance of focusing on results rather than justifying failures with excuses. It's about developing a mindset where there is no room for excuses when it comes to achieving your goals.

Consider the example of a proposal that was being worked on for a new customer. The team knew they needed to include some examples of previous work, but the computer network was down so they couldn't access them easily. Instead of finding a way around the problem, they made a note in the proposal that the examples would be provided later due to technical difficulties. The proposal was submitted without the examples and it was not successful.

In this scenario, the team traded results for excuses. They justified their failure to include the examples with the excuse of a technical issue. However, the fact was they failed to achieve what they set out to do. Excuses are never a substitute for results.

This habit is about never accepting an excuse for your performance. It means always being willing to say to yourself and to others about your own efforts that there is never an excuse that will take the place of results. You simply develop the habit of saying 'There's no excuse.'

When you accept this premise and make it a habit not to accept excuses, you'll find it makes things a whole lot easier. It's not always easy to say 'There's no excuse', especially during difficult times. That's why you need to practice it and make sure it becomes a habit.

This habit is not just about achieving results, but also about personal growth and development. It encourages you to take responsibility for your actions and to strive for excellence in everything you do. It's about choosing the hard right over the easy wrong, and making the commitment to achieve your goals, no matter what obstacles you may face.

Question 3

The third Winning Habit: Solve problems in advance!

Accepted Answer

The third Winning Habit, 'Solve problems in advance', is a proactive approach to problem-solving that involves anticipating potential issues and addressing them before they become significant obstacles. This habit is more challenging to cultivate than the first two, as it requires learning to troubleshoot decisions and solutions. It is crucial to have a logical and consistent method for solving problems and making decisions.

The essence of this habit is troubleshooting, which involves reviewing solutions or intended action plans in terms of the future and trying to anticipate potential problems. The action plan should then be modified to solve these problems or bypass them before they occur or become potential crises. For instance, if you anticipate that a team member may not respond to your discussion, you might modify your action plan to include a follow-up meeting or written communication.

This habit is particularly relevant when solving other problems. More than half of all failures occur because of foreseeable problems that the implementers failed to foresee. In an answer-oriented society, most people believe that coming up with a good answer is enough. However, in management or any work done in organizations, having the right answer is never enough. It's producing the right results that counts. When a good answer meets an unexpected negative event, the result is usually a negative outcome. Therefore, troubleshooting comes in to figure out what all the unexpected events could be and how to handle them in advance.

In conclusion, the third Winning Habit, 'Solve problems in advance', is about foreseeing potential problems and troubleshooting them before they occur. This habit requires a logical and consistent method for problem-solving and decision-making, and it is crucial for achieving the right results in any organizational work.

Question 4

The fourth Winning Habit: Always make those around you look good!

Accepted Answer

The fourth Winning Habit emphasizes the importance of making those around you look good. This habit is not about false flattery or insincere praise, but about genuinely supporting and uplifting others, particularly in a professional setting. It's about recognizing the strengths and contributions of others and ensuring they receive due credit for their work.

A prime example of this habit in action is the story of a young executive who rose rapidly through the ranks of his company. His secret was not just his own hard work and talent, but his consistent effort to make his colleagues shine. He would always find ways to support them, help them succeed, and ensure they received public recognition for their victories. This approach made him a sought-after team member and leader. His subordinates wanted to work for him because he supported them and celebrated their successes. His peers wanted him on their team for the same reasons. And leaders appreciated his loyalty and unselfish attitude.

This habit also involves letting others take the credit, even when you've played a significant role in the success. It's about putting the team's success above personal recognition. This approach not only fosters a positive and collaborative work environment but also propels your own career growth. As the young executive's story illustrates, when you make others look good, you become a valuable asset to any team or organization.

In conclusion, the fourth Winning Habit is about fostering success in others and celebrating their achievements. It's about being a team player and a supportive colleague. And ultimately, it's about understanding that your success is intertwined with the success of those around you.

Question 5

Accepted Answer

"Winning Habits" by Dick Lyles presents four key habits that can lead to personal and professional success. These habits are: being the first one on and the last one off, never trading results for excuses, solving problems in advance, and always making those around you look good. The book emphasizes the importance of these habits in achieving consistent success and becoming a pacesetter in life. It also provides practical methods for problem-solving and decision-making.

10 Actions to Implement the Learnings:

1. Be the first one on and the last one off: Always be the first to start working on a task and the last to finish it. This shows commitment and dedication.

2. Never trade results for excuses: Don't let excuses prevent you from achieving your goals. Always focus on the results you want to achieve.

3. Solve problems in advance: Anticipate potential problems and find solutions before they occur. This can prevent bigger issues in the future.

4. Make those around you look good: Always support and uplift your colleagues. This fosters a positive work environment and encourages teamwork.

5. Keep a journal: Document your daily activities and reflect on how you can apply the four habits in your everyday life.

6. Troubleshoot your decisions: Before implementing a decision, consider potential problems and find solutions to them.

7. Communicate effectively: Clearly communicate your decisions and action plans to others. This ensures everyone is on the same page.

8. Implement your decisions: Don't just make decisions, act on them. Monitor your progress to ensure you're achieving your objectives.

9. Go the extra mile: Always strive to add extra value in everything you do. This can set you apart from others.

10. Adopt these habits as part of your character: Make these habits a part of who you are, not just something you do occasionally. This will lead to consistent success.

Winning Habits - Book Summary (2024)