First Principles — A First Draft
This is a first draft of principles I’ve laid out as a starting point for any learning company / initiative / business pursuit I’d be interested in taking part in. It’s a work in progress, and I’m posting this to share my initial thoughts. I’d love to hear anyone’s feedback of what you’d include in drafting your own first principles!
EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS EQUAL INHERENT VALUE THAT IS RECOGNIZED. Value is not just about how much we produce; we recognize the unique value we each have and aim to bring it the highest expression out of one another.
HUMAN AGENCY AND CREATIVE PURSUIT. Each individual is free — and encouraged! — to use human agency to make what they wish from their inherent value. We are all agents of creation, and we strive to shape the world around us by focusing on what makes us come alive. Everyone is called by an inner voice to contribute based on their unique potential.
ABUNDANT GENEROSITY. Give, give, give. Generosity is the most potent force in the universe. Rather than see others merely as competition and believe that others can take something away from you, seek opportunities for learning and collaboration with the belief that everyone and everything is conspiring in your favor (one of my favorite words, pronoia, means just that — and is the opposite of paranoia whereby you believe everyone is conspiring against you).
OPTIMIZE VALUE; DON’T MERELY MAXIMIZE IT. Each individual could use their own talents and skills to find ways to optimize their value, rather than just increase or maximize it (if that’s the case, then to what end?). For example, are they serving the groups that would most benefit from their unique service or gift? Are they using and distributing resources wisely among their peers?
PRACTICE INSPIRATION. We strive to be skilled at receiving and giving inspiration, ideas, and support as needed for the benefit of the whole, such that what is then possible to arise is beyond our imagination.
ALIVENESS AS MEASURE OF SUCCESS. We check, track and balance one another’s aliveness as a key metric for success. How is energy harnessed and optimized on both the individual and collective levels?
LEARNING CULTURE. How are feedback loops formed, so that there is constant course correction and a true learning organization in practice? Radical transparency and communication are ways — always give “feed-up”. This is feedback that serves to move each person, and the whole, upwards.
MIRROR + UPLIFT. Always see the highest self of the person we’re dealing with. They may not always see themselves, and it is our responsibility to reflect them as a mirror, so they never forget their highest expression and potential — all toward power that serves the whole.
BE DYNAMIC AND RESPOND WITH ACTION. Sense into the needs and evolutionary purpose of the organization/vision/project at hand, and respond to needs with a high adaptability rate.
BE THE ULTIMATE INVESTOR. Invest energy, time and/or money into an area where it will do the maximum amount of good, and bring the most life. Focus is on investment, not charity. Choose who and what to invest in, rather than aim to influence the outcome or the way in which something is implemented.
