The business of business is usually simple. Take management, for instance. You can read management books or spend hours in the classroom — or you can just follow some simple shortcuts:

1. Manage individuals not numbers, because the only way to change the numbers is to change people's behaviors.

2. Adapt your style to each person, because management is never a one-size-fits-all proposition.

3. Measure only what's truly relevant, because measuring what's not creates irrelevant behavior.

4. Set only one priority per person, because "multiple priorities" is an oxymoron that creates indecision and chaos.

5. Stay even-tempered, because your employees need a leader who keeps a cool head in a crisis.

6. Take responsibility for your low performers, because they are the measure of your management skill.

7. Share your thoughts and ideas, because only then can they truly be honed and sharpened.

8. Ask questions rather than provide answers, because that will teach your employees to think for themselves.

9. Treat everyone as equally as possible, because "teacher's pets" and "golden children" are ruinous to morale.

10. Expect only what you're willing to give yourself, because a true leader must also be a role model.

11. Explain the reasoning behind your decisions, because that helps your employees understand you better.

12. Make decisions quickly, because it's better to act and fail than to prevaricate and learn nothing.

Adapted from "Business Without the Bullsh*t: 49 Secrets and Shortcuts That You Need to Know"