I see a trend.

I talk to people online, in person and by phone daily. Some of my conversations are incredibly intimate and highly confidential. Some are a bit more relaxed. Some of these conversations are planned and some are impromptu but the one thing I am seeing in a lot of conversations these days is…

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During my time at home recovering I am watching an unimaginable amount of television. Most of it is total rubbish but yesterday I saw something that captured and kept my attention for an entire hour. Probably because what I saw was exciting and motivating!

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I ran across this list today and absolutely had to share.

The Manager’s Cheat Sheet: 101 Common-Sense Rules for Leaders

Some of the items truly are for manager’s only. That said, I think that whether or not you are in a management position this list is a worthwhile read. Some of these rules are actually great rules to apply to your personal life and many of them make sense if you simply want to be taken seriously in your profession (whether or not you aspire to be promoted to a management position).

Inspired by the official list, here are a few thoughts that came to mind when I read through the 101:

• Want to be taken seriously by jerky in-laws? Try standing tall to give an air of confidence. (#1 on the list).
• Want to be invited out to social events? Be cautious about having a reputation for continuously canceling plans at the last minute. (#28 on the list).
• Accept responsibility for mistakes. A little accountability goes a long way. (#34 on the list).
• Caretake that which is important to you. Do not spend time fretting over trivial things that are out of your control. (#45 on the list).
• Manage your money like you have very little of it. Take care of financial commitments that are important to your present and your future. (#57 & 58 on the list).
• Don’t buy crap. You get what you pay for and if it is important to you, buy quality whenever you can. (#64 on the list).
• Treat everyone you meet like a prized customer. One day, they just might be. (#67 on the list).

Now, go read the actual list then come back here and tell me…

What can you apply to your personal or professional life?

I have held positions in a variety of areas where it would be appropriate to take specialized training and take a certification test in that particular area. Examples of this are Project Management and Business Analyst certifications.

There are also many national and international associations that we professionals have at our disposal. I have never been prone to joining these formal associations and while I have held many high level positions in project management and business analysis, I am not certified. I have actually done formal trainings to organizations on the principals of project management yet I am uncertified.

I have never felt it was necessary to get a formal certification in the areas that I work in. It certainly has not had a negative impact on my career but lately I have been wondering if there might be some value to joining an international association, and getting formal training and certification in my areas of expertise.

Are certifications common in your field and if so, are you certified? I’m interested in other people’s thoughts on the subject.

Discuss…