Personal User Manual

What is this? See this article for an explainer.

Values

I value

• honesty
• integrity
• intrinsic motivation
• bias for action
• extreme ownership
• logical reasoning
• grit
• attention to detail

Decisions

Data is good, but good decisions do not always require it.

Time is the most precious asset, so I default to saying no to new commitments.

One-way door decisions are made slowly and methodically. Two-way door decisions are made quickly and iteratively. See this shareholder letter for an explanation of difference.

When I make a decision, I communicate it clearly and concisely.

I must be presented with evidence more compelling than that I currently have to change course.

Work and Focus

I work best asynchronously and when given long, uninterrupted stretches to think deeply.

When collaborating, I prefer a video call with screen sharing to minimize miscommunication.

I am most productive when I can focus on a single task for an extended period of time.

I sometimes work in intense bursts of activity at odd hours.

I thrive in environments that value strategic thinking and embrace calculated risk-taking to drive meaningful change.

Collaboration

I strongly prefer a write-first culture where meetings are to agree upon a pre-existing document that all stakeholders have reviewed and contributed to.

When having a meeting, I prefer at least 48 hours of notice and a written document articulating the reason for the meeting, what questions we need answered, and what action items we want to decide on before the end of the call.