In an interview by Scott Cendrowski for Fortune's Brainstorm Tech blog, Applied Materials CEO Mike Splinter shares the best advice he's been given in management.
His most valued pearl of wisdom was imparted by Andy Grove during a stint at Intel. Splinter says: "It was 1984, and Grove was talking about Intel culture to a group of new employees who were coming in at a senior level. I was running Fab 1, a Santa Clara factory that made chips.
"In his talk Grove advised us to always assume it's your responsibility. By that he meant to take on a job, even if it wasn't yours. That's a general thought, but it creates specific action and works across almost any situation, from picking up garbage on the floor to a new product idea."
He adds: "If you automatically assume it's your responsibility and do something about it, that makes the company better. Those who can recognise that are the ones who end up being more successful."
Splinter's other tips for CEOs include:
* Engage your audience
* Stay connected with employees
* Recognise and acknowledge good work
* Streamline and prioritise your schedule
Applied Materials CEO's best advice: The buck stops here
Scott Cendrowski, Brainstorm Tech, Fortune.com, 16/09/09
