My Rules: How to Create and Support a Respectful Leadership

by Bob Short

My How to Create and Support a Respectful Leadership Culture is a practical, experience-driven guide to building strong, respectful, and effective leadership in demanding environments. Drawing from more than 45 years of leadership in Ohio’s mental health hospital system, Bob Short shares a powerful collection of “rules” that show how clarity, respect, accountability, and compassion can transform organizations. From simple truths like “Tell people what you want them to do” and “Staff don’t want to mess up,” to more advanced leadership practices such as defining success, using data, and getting to “yes,” this book turns real-world challenges into actionable leadership lessons.

Organized into four clear sections—Rules for Supervisors, Leaders, Management, and Promoting Respect—the book offers guidance on motivating staff, managing change, resolving conflict, using performance data, and creating cultures where people feel safe, valued, and empowered. Short emphasizes that respect is not just a value, but a daily practice that shapes how teams communicate, solve problems, and support one another. His stories illustrate how leadership rooted in calm temperament, vision, and fairness leads to stronger performance and healthier workplaces.

Written for leaders in healthcare, education, government, and any organization facing complex human challenges, this book is both a handbook and a philosophy. It shows that successful leadership is built on consistency, courage, and trust—and that when people are treated with dignity, they rise to meet high expectations. My Rules is a guide for anyone who wants to lead with integrity and create a culture where respect drives real results

68 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2026