Principle 1: Embrace Uncertainty and Experimentation
- You don't know the best way to do something, but no one else does either.
- Adopt a mindset of experimentation.
- Iterate by testing the process against both its results and the way others have solved similar problems.
- When you're doing something very differently than others, consider the impact of the difference carefully.
This was born out of my early experiences in running a company without any prior professional experience or training. It was a process of trial and error, and it became clear that pretending to know what to do was not beneficial. Instead, I found value in running experiments, documenting processes, and iterating on them. This approach was applied to everything, from administrative tasks to software development. Importantly, I also learned to look at how others have solved similar problems and use that information when creating a first process, testing my process against them as I found them while iterating.
This principle is applied in every aspect of my work. When there are differing opinions on how to do something or what decision should be made, I write it down. This moves the discussion from the realm of separate opinions to debating what's on the page. It's a way of making sure that all processes are contributing to how the company should work. Furthermore, it encourages learning from others and adapting their solutions to our unique challenges.
Principle 2: Strive for Rewarding Collaboration
- Relationships are the goal.
- Build relationships by trying to accomplish hard things together.
- Having a shared mission makes the struggle to accomplish hard things easier.
Principle 3: Pursue Personal Passions
While not strictly a work principle, it's crucial to engage in work that aligns with your personal passions and causes you believe in.
My personal passions include reducing income inequality, mitigating the effects of climate change, and increasing the empathy people have for people not like them. These aren't just personal pursuits, they also give my professional life a sense of purpose and meaning.
These passions may not directly influence my day-to-day tasks, but they have a huge impact on my approach to problems and the projects I choose to engage with. When making progress gets difficult, knowing that what I'm doing has personal meaning for me makes it easier to persevere.