A free tool from Applied Wisdom for Nonprofits
Start your own collection of management tips.
When a useful idea helps you lead, give it a name and note where you found it. Over time, those ideas become a practical collection you can return to, apply, and share.
Start my collectionJim Morgan makes a habit of collecting useful ideas from reading, listening to speakers, and talking with people. Start with the Applied Wisdom example below, replace it with something you found, or add another tip.
My collection
Applied Wisdom Collection
Your notebook
Your collection is ready
Prefer to collect on paper?
Use the printable worksheet as a separate way to build and keep your collection.
Why this format works
A good management tip is short enough to remember and specific enough to use. Keeping its source and date beside it makes it easier to revisit and apply when the right situation arises.
Jim's full sample table is in the booklet. Request a free print or digital copy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a management tip?
A management tip is a short, useful idea about leading people or running an organization. Give it a memorable name and note where you found it so you can return to the source later.
Why should I write down my management tips?
Because otherwise they slip away. Jim Morgan continually collects ideas from reading, listening to speakers, and talking with people. A simple list gives you something practical to revisit, apply, and share.
How many tips should I have in my collection?
Start with three to five. Most experienced leaders end up with fifteen to forty over time. There is no right number. The point is not the count, it is the discipline of noticing the lesson when it happens.
What should I put in the source field?
Note where you found the idea: an Applied Wisdom insight, a person, a book, a meeting, or a conversation. A few words are enough, and you can leave it blank when the source is uncertain.
Is this tool free?
Yes. Everything Applied Wisdom for Nonprofits publishes is free, including the booklet, the audiobook, and the course modules. We do not sell anything.
Will my tips be saved if I close the browser?
Yes, on the same device. Your tips are saved locally in your browser as you go. To keep a copy somewhere more permanent, email yourself a copy from the bottom of the page.
Where does this idea come from?
Jim Morgan keeps a running list of management tips at the back of his notebook. He records each useful idea as he encounters it and notes where it came from. The booklet Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector includes a sample of Jim's list.
How do I print my collection?
After you email yourself a copy, a 'Print my collection' button appears on the page. Click it (or press Cmd+P on Mac or Ctrl+P on Windows) to print just your tip table, formatted to fit on one or two sheets.
If a tip helps you, pass it along to someone who might find it useful too. You can also request the booklet for Jim's full collection or browse the eight practical insights that organize Applied Wisdom's whole framework.