Principles that have guided my work
Over the past few years, I’ve had countless conversations about quality of work, startups, and how to be successful. This post distills some of the lessons I’ve learned—through starting a company, working at startups, and just trying to do good work.
Here are a few principles I’ve stuck to:
1. KISS – Keep It Stupid Simple
This is probably the most consistent methodology I’ve followed, both in work and in life. At its core, it asks: What’s the simplest and quickest thing I can do that gets me most of the way to the goal?
It’s about avoiding over-architecture and instead going for the most straightforward path forward. The simpler the solution, the faster I can validate it—and the sooner I know what my next move should be.
It also removes the fear of starting. Just start. Start small, start rough, but start. Then iterate.
KISS relies on the environment and feedback loops to help shape the right solution. You’re not expected to get it perfect upfront. And this dovetails nicely with the 80/20 rule: What’s the 20% effort that will get me 80% of the results?
2. May the Best Model Win
One of my first bosses used to say, “May the best model win.” What he meant was: the best idea wins—whether it’s mine, yours, or a mix of both. That kind of culture demanded that we let go of ego and really listen.
The skill here wasn’t just about pitching solutions—it was knowing when to let go of your idea in favor of the idea.
That’s not easy. Throughout my career, I’ve noticed this pattern—wanting to be right, to be validated, to shine. It’s human. But often, it’s the ego getting in the way of the right solution. The need to control, to push our way forward, can block what’s actually best for the team or the product.
The challenge is to zoom out. To see the bigger picture. To let go—not out of passivity, but out of awareness. When we drop the need to be right, we become more nimble. We’re more responsive to the situation and better able to steer toward what actually works.
3. Roadmapping
Naturally, this all flows into how we plan: roadmapping. How do we move from idea to execution?
If the end goal is clear—say, a specific task at work—you can break it down into milestones. Think of them as goalposts, not step-by-step instructions. What outcomes do we want to see at each point? That keeps us focused on results rather than micromanaging the path.
When the problem is more abstract—like starting a company or building a team—KISS and the 80/20 rule become even more important. Start with the smallest meaningful step. That step will often reveal what the next one should be. Clarity emerges through action.
4. Take Initiative
Be willing to take the first step—even if it means being wrong. It's okay to fail. It's okay to make mistakes.
If you're applying emotional understanding and the KISS principle, then failure becomes less threatening. You're not locked in. You can pivot, change direction, and keep moving. It’s not failure—it’s learning what direction not to go.
The key is to act. Let the environment give you feedback. Let your actions inform the next move.
5. Work Smart, Not Hard
All of the above only works if you're willing to do the work—but there’s a difference between working hard and working smart.
When I say "work," I don’t mean sprinting, burning out, or adding stress. It’s not about grinding 12-hour days. It’s about steady, consistent effort. Working with ease, working with direction.
Consistency compounds. That’s how quality improves. It’s less about hustle and more about rhythm. When your work is aligned with principles like KISS and emotional awareness, you can make real progress without chaos.
6. Consistent Effort
This one has been a big lesson for me in recent years. Real progress—whether in work, fitness, relationships, or anything else—comes from small but consistent effort over time.
Good work ethic isn’t about bursts of energy. It’s about showing up regularly. It’s about doing something, even a little, each day. That’s how momentum builds. That’s how things get built from 0 to 1.
7. Leadership — Listen
Good leadership starts with listening. Not just hearing words—but truly understanding what your team is saying, and what they need at the core.
It’s about tuning into the unspoken drivers: what people value, what motivates them, what they’re trying to build or express. When you listen like that, you’re not just solving problems—you’re creating trust.
Leadership is appreciating people for who they are and what they want—not just what they deliver. That kind of awareness helps you lead in a way that feels aligned and human. It creates the kind of team where good ideas surface, where people feel safe to speak up, and where progress comes from mutual respect—not top-down pressure.
Final Thoughts
These principles have shaped how I work and live. They’ve helped me build, grow, and navigate change.
And in a time when AI is reshaping industries, economies are shifting faster than ever, and new technologies are constantly emerging—these ideas feel even more relevant. In a world that’s only going to keep accelerating, simplicity, emotional clarity, and consistent effort aren’t just useful—they’re essential.
