Terry Kelley developed his "Rules of Business Life" to illustrate business principles in a way that made the audiences he spoke to wake up and take notice. When he was asked whether a book of them was available, at first he laughed at them. Then he decided they might have a point. The hippopotamus rule reminds us to beware tasks which are pointless, in a way we're unlikely to forget. Seventy-four further rules reflect the personal style of Terry Kelley, who explains "I know it's the style I respond to best, so I've attempted to be the person I would listen to". They cover all the key aspects of management practice, including leadership, change, risk, organizations and personal relationships. He even includes rules about rules! "Business books are invariably boring", remarks Kelley in the opening pages. "Personally I'd rather mow the lawn". If secretly you agree with him, we invite you to lock the lawnmower away and see if "Don't Put Socks on the Hippopotamus" doesn't change your mind.