Foundations

1. True Purpose

The enduring reason that drives meaningful action and connects individuals, teams, and organizations to shared goals.

2. Rule of Law

Nobody in the organization is above the rules that the org sets for itself.

3. Structural and Psychological Safety

Psychological safety allows for innovation and learning, while structural safety ensures that decision rights and organizational status are protected.

4. Expanded Available Power

When leaders give away some of their decision-making authority and resources to other levels, innovations and adjustments in course are possible without the say-so of the boss.

5. Curiosity

Lead with wonder, and allow rapid experiments and shared insights to outpace tidy certainty.

6. Do No Harm

Actively prevent unnecessary harm, whether to employees, communities, or the environment.

7. Wholeness

Allow employees to bring their full selves to work.

8. Role-Soul Distinction

Decouple your personal identity from your professional roles.

9. Dissolvability

Teams, roles, and processes should be assumed to be temporary, and regularly reassessed.

10. Consent & Consensus

Distinguish between consent (acceptable) and consensus (actively supported).

11. Pace Layers

Different aspects of an organization evolve at different speeds; structure decision-making to respect these layers.

12. Cooperation

Cooperation thrives in environments where discord is acknowledged and structured into productive negotiation.