Principle #34: Watch out for the decider problem. In the world of crypto, fortunes are made—and lost—because people chase hype. Some influencer tweets “Buy this coin!” and thousands jump in. No one checks the blockchain, the project fundamentals, or even if the coin does anything useful. The result? A wallet full of worthless tokens. Organizations […]
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Principle #33 – Build Systemic Liberty Imagine a city with no roads, no bridges, no traffic signals—just a wide-open space where everyone can drive wherever they want. Sounds like freedom, right? Until the first intersection collision, the first traffic jam, the first person who can’t find their way. That’s what happens in organizations when we
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Principle #30: When in doubt, spread accountability out. Picture this: an office where one poor soul is in charge of everything—cleaning the breakroom, unclogging the coffee machine, fixing the flickering lights, and somehow still managing their “real” job. Result? Burnout, frustration, and probably a sticky floor. In leadership, we often make the same mistake: dumping
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Principle #27 – What we know for sure is tiny. Blind spots are many. Artists know a secret: you never see the whole picture at the start. A painter begins with a blank canvas and an idea, but halfway through? They discover the shadows are off, the colors don’t pop, or—oops—that nose looks weird. The
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Principle #25 – Sometimes there’s one right way. Probably not this time. Tech culture loves the idea of “the one right way.” One formula to rule them all, one update that fixes everything, one perfect workflow that never fails. Spoiler: that’s not how complex systems work. In tech (and business), the “one right way” is
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Principle #24 – Prompt grassroots decision-making often. Imagine trying to grow a thriving garden but insisting every plant ask permission before sprouting a new leaf. Sounds absurd, right? Yet that’s how many leaders handle decisions—everything has to travel up the “stem” to the top before action can happen. The people closest to the soil—the ones
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Principle #22 – Smallest changes for biggest impacts. We often think big problems need big solutions. Cue the off-site retreats, multi-phase project plans, and “transformational initiatives” that cost a fortune and take forever. Meanwhile, a small, well-aimed change could’ve solved 80% of the problem by lunch. Small changes are powerful because they’re focused, low-risk, and
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Principle #17 – Decisions go where they belong. Ever sat in a meeting thinking, “Why am I even deciding this?” If you’re honest, you probably have. Leaders often hoard decisions like Halloween candy, believing it’s “safer” if they approve everything. Spoiler: it’s not. It slows things down, burns you out, and disempowers the very people
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Principle #16 – Trust comes after cooperation. In that order. We love to talk about “building trust” in teams, as if it’s a mystical aura you conjure with enough vulnerability exercises and inspirational posters. But here’s the kicker: trust doesn’t show up first. Cooperation does. Think about it—most of us say, “I’ll trust them when
Want Trust? Stop Waiting. Start Cooperating. Read More »
Principle #15 – Work hard to make hard things (more) simple. Ever seen a process map that looks like a plate of spaghetti? Or listened to an explanation so complex you left with more questions than answers? Complexity might make us feel smart, but it slows decisions, burns people out, and kills momentum. Leaders who
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