Tag Archives: rules

Gibbs’ Rules and Rules to Live By

Chalk board with rules writtenBy Katherine Beaty

NCIS is a CBS series that is now on its 18th season. The main character is Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who is the leader of a team of special agents belonging to the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) Major Case Response Team. Gibbs, a former Marine, is a tough investigator and a highly skilled interrogator who relies on his gut instinct as much as evidence. His team of elite agents, based in Washington, D.C., solve criminal cases involving Marine and Navy personnel and their families, sometimes traveling the U.S.–or the world–to do it.

One of the hidden gems on this show that all fans talk about at some point when they meet is Gibbs’ Rules. Gibbs teaches his team members all these rules, which he feels they need to do their jobs. While I will not go into all 51 rules, I will share that seven of the rules directly concern lawyers, and rules 40 and above are not rules of everyday life, but are for emergencies.

This got me thinking–what is my code? What are the “rules” I live by? Here are just a few:

  • Never let the world change who you want to be.
  • Listen to and embrace music every day.
  • Trust but verify.
  • Put good out and good will come back.
  • Work hard, play hard.

What are some rules you live by?

Katherine Beaty is vice president, implementation, with TEZ Technology.