Leroy Jethro Gibbs of "NCIS" has lived his life and career as a federal agent by a set of continually developing rules. I believe that everyone can learn to live by Gibbs's rules.
#1. Never let suspects sit together.
As a camp counselor, I never let the kids who I suspected did something near each other while I figure out what really happened
The other #1. Never screw over your partner.
Partner could be someone you work with or who you're in a relationship, either way being a decent human helps!
#2. Always wear gloves at a crime scene.
Gloves and crime scene are specific to the show, but in my life the gloves are the precaution to new situations or things I am unsure about.
#3. Never believe what you're told. Double check.
For anything and everything, please DOUBLE CHECK!!
The other #3. Never be unreachable.
I don't care where you're going, but if there's an emergency and you can't reach me there's a problem. I try to always be reachable.
#4. Best way to keep a secret, keep it to yourself. Second best, tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best.
"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead." ~Benjamin Franklin
#5. You don't waste good.
Good can be anything. Good friendship, good work, good work ethic, what have you, don't waste it!
#6. Never say you're sorry.
You did what you did for a reason. I struggle with this one as I care about other people's feelings, but when it comes to how I feel, I won't apologize for what I have said or how I feel.
#7. Always be specific when you lie.
The smallest detail can get you caught.
#8. Never take anything for granted.
Life's too short to take anything for granted.
#9. Never go anywhere without a knife.
I need to get a small pocket knife, they're handy.
#10. Never get involved personally on a case.
If you take things too personally, it will block your judgement.
#11. When the job is done, walk away.
Don't come back to it, let it go.
#12. Never date a co-worker.
There are so many things wrong with this. What if you break up, then work is awkward?
#13. Never involve lawyers.
It's messy and expensive.
#14. Bend the line. Don't break it.
Take things to the point of almost breaking and then draw back, don't break the line.
#15. Always work as a team.
Your team is there for you, don't try to work it solo.
#16. If someone thinks he has the upper hand, break it.
Don't let others think they have a hold on you.
#18. It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.
Enough said.
#20. Always look under.
Under what? Under anything and everything. Take a look from all angles.
#22. Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation.
Don't bother someone if they're in the middle of something important, unless it's a do or die situation.
#23. Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live.
Or in the case of my friends, a college girl.
#27. There are two ways to follow someone. First way, they never notice you. Second way they only notice you.
You must answer the question; do you want them to know you're there or not?
#28. When you need help, ask.
I need to work on this one. I don't ask for help as often as I should.
#35. Always watch the watchers.
They usually have an ulterior motive for just watching, figure them out.
#36. If it feels like you're being played, you probably are.
Be cautious.
#38. Your case, your lead.
Your problem, you deal with it. Take control and figure it out.
#39. There's no such thing as a coincidence.
All I think of is the saying "Coincidence? I think not!"
#40. If it seems like someone's out to get you, they are.
Be cautious.
#42. Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker-punched you.
I don't know why you would.
#44. First things first, hide the women and children.
As a woman, I would hide the children before myself, but I also use this as a way of protection from outside influences.
#45. Left a mess I gotta clean up.
Clean up your messes, even if you don't want to.
#51. Sometimes you're wrong.
I live by this rule over all the others. Sometimes you are wrong and you just have to admit it.
#62. Always give people space when they get off an elevator.
PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD LET PEOPLE OFF THE ELEVATOR BEFORE YOU GET ON!!!
#69. Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man.
Don't trust those who can't trust those they're close with.
