These six principles form the foundation of how I build and lead teams. They’re not just words on a wall—they’re operating principles that guide daily decisions and interactions.
Why These Principles Matter
Over two decades of building technology organizations, I’ve learned that culture isn’t defined by what you say, but by what you tolerate. These principles establish clear expectations for how team members work together and hold each other accountable.
The best teams I’ve led share a common thread: they internalize these values so deeply that they become reflexive. When communication is direct, when urgency is the norm, when the customer is genuinely at the center—excellence follows naturally.
Living the Principles
Each principle reinforces the others. Direct communication enables urgency. Integrity builds the trust that makes celebration meaningful. Setting a high bar motivates continuous improvement. And when the customer is delighted, the whole team shares in that success.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Teams that embrace these principles create environments where people do their best work, where problems get solved quickly, and where success compounds over time.