Understanding, believing, and thinking about principles helps you achieve a powerful but all-too elusive quality: self-control.
These are principles that I especially like to think about.
It is best to share as much info and knowledge with peers as possible... insulating does not protect you. Writing documentation and showing your work is more self-empowering--and company-empowering--than you can imagine. The most important individuals are those that sincerely contribute to the company at large. Knowledge is power--so empower each other.
The following items are leadership principles that I was exposed to and trained in first-hand during prior experience. I fully agree with these principles, although there was a strange cult mentality around it... which admittedly had a strong, motivating effect on everyone. I will always feel as though I am an Amazonian. I personally know that my discipline is improved whenever I self-brainwash (repetitive meditation on goals, "I like to study, I like to work hard, I will do this today and do it well, ..."). The human psyche is a weird phenomenon... a beast to be tamed.
Customer Obsession //Leaders start with the customer and work backward. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust.Ownership //Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my job".Invent and Simplify //Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here". As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time.Are Right, A Lot //Leaders are right a lot. They have strong business judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to challenge their beliefs.Hire and Develop The Best //Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice.Insist on the Highest Standards //Leaders have relentlessly high standards - many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and driving their teams to deliver high quality products, services and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed.Think Big //Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.Bias for Action //Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.Frugality //Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size or fixed expense.Learn and Be Curious //Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them.Earn Trust //Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. They see another as an equal, and as a multiplier for achieving goals.Dive Deep //Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them.Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit //Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.Deliver Results //Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle.