Posted by Naga Samineni on June 22, 2023
Most companies drown in mediocrity—paralyzed by bureaucracy, shackled by indecision, and content with incremental gains. We reject that entirely.
Great organizations are not accidental. They are built with obsessive clarity and ruthless discipline around core values that drive extraordinary outcomes. Here’s how I lead, how we operate, and what I demand from anyone who chooses to build alongside me.
You always start with the user and work backwards. You vigorously earn and relentlessly keep their trust. Every single decision begins and ends with the user’s experience. Nothing else matters more.
Speed is everything. Most decisions are reversible and do not need extensive debate or exhaustive study. You strongly prefer action over analysis, demos over decks, and results over discussions. At this company, calculated risk-taking is valued.
You take ownership. You think long term and know that results, metrics, and MVPs matter over old school practices of Intense Planning, Committees, and Reviews. You act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just your own domain.
Everyone at the company is an individual contributor. There are no hierarchical levels. Everyone’s ideas and opinions carry equal weight. You never say, “that’s not my job.” You are quick to give credit generously—success belongs first to “she” or “he,” then “we.” Failures always belong to “I.” You are obligated to excuse yourself from meetings where you cannot contribute meaningful value.
You are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when you disagree—even when it’s uncomfortable or exhausting. You hold strong convictions and refuse to compromise purely for social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, you fully commit. Half-hearted commitment is unacceptable.
You demand innovation and invention from yourself and everyone around you. You relentlessly simplify complexities. You seek ideas externally and internally and never dismiss an idea because it wasn’t invented here. You know it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all. You’re a generalist, not restricted by frameworks, languages, or specific tools.
You consistently demonstrate strong judgment and good instincts. You actively seek diverse perspectives and deliberately try to disconfirm your beliefs. Accuracy and effectiveness matter far more than being comfortable or popular.
Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You create and communicate a bold vision that inspires extraordinary results. You think differently and proactively seek opportunities to serve new customers in ways others haven’t even imagined.