Wagner's MBA Laws of "Tending Burn Pile"

Wagner's MBA Laws of "Tending Burn Pile:" For you "City Folk" out there, you tend burn pile by: 1. DO NOT LET THE FIRE GET OUT OF CONTROL; 2. DO NOT FALL INTO THE FIRE -- remember that the fire does not know the difference between you and wood / leaves; 3. Move the un-burnt material toward the center of the fire, so it all burns up; 4. Only start a fire on official burn days; 5. Don't be seen throwing old couches and stuff that generates black smoke into the fire; 6. When the fire gets about 18 inches of flame on the top, you can throw green wood and leaves on it and the fire will burn it almost as well as dry wood; 7. When tending burn pile in the pouring rain, don't forget to turn yourself to dry the other side; 8. Pay attention to what you are doing and don't day-dream!

Wagner's MBA Law of the Future

Wagner's MBA Law of the Future: Think: Now. The Present keeps The Past from bumping into and even occluding The Future.

Wagner's MBA Law of Organizational Problem Responsibility

Wagner's MBA Law of Organizational Problem Responsibility: All problems are management problems (or opportunities). Managers who blame their staff for long term problems are insufficiently trained for their current positions... and being silly (in my opinion). Any problem that lasts for more than a few weeks is by definition a problem that should be addressed by organizational management. I personally and hereby scold you managers who assign blame to your staff for problems/issues/challenges for which you and you alone should be the one responsible. Shame on you. OK, that sounds a little heavy, but it is time to stop shirking your responsibility.

Wagner's MBA Law of U-Turns

Wagner's MBA Law of U-Turns: The moment and place at which you most need to make a U-Turn is usually marked with a "No U-Turn Sign"...

Wagner's MBA Law of Duck Hunting. Working with some people is like taking Stevie Wonder duck hunting... It is a wonderful and interesting experience with a marvelous and talented person, which you enjoy thoroughly up to that random moment when you are accidentally "shot with both barrels at point blank range" so to speak and he "can't see how to give you life-saving first aid."

Wagner's MBA Law of Corn

Wagner's MBA Law of Corn: "Plant corn by Memorial Day and if it is higher than a crow's back by July 4th, you will have a good crop." -- my Grandfather, David Campbell Wagner.

Wagner's MBA Law of Overcoming Incompetent People

Wagner's MBA Law of Overcoming Incompetent People: Keep up the great work! Don't let anyone, no matter how incompetent they are, hinder you from the awesome work you do! Go team! (Oh, and if I'm the one hindering you... I sincerely apologize!)