11. The Peter Principle
Employees in hierarchies are steadily promoted for competence—until they reach a level where they’re incompetent. People are promoted up to the level of peak *incompetence*. Devised as satire, it may explain a lot about senior management at large orgs…
12. Parkinson’s Law
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion. Work longer, get less done. When you establish fixed hours, you find unproductive ways to fill it. If your goal is to do inspired, creative work, work like a lion instead: Sprint. Eat. Rest. Repeat.
13. The Cantillon Effect
The early recipients of new money entering an economy will benefit more significantly than those it trickles down to. In other words, the “flow path” of the new money matters. New money creates distributional effects based on where it enters the system.
14. BS Asymmetry Principle
The energy required to refute bullshit is much larger than the energy required to produce it. This is why BS spreads so easily—especially on social media. It’s also why we need to make a deliberate effort to fight back against it.
15. Entrepreneurial Golden Age
It’s the best time in history to be a builder—the 2020s are a golden age. Things in your favor:
- An abundance of no-code tools
- Open, accessible internet
- Cracking walls of credentialism
- Decentralization of hiring hubs
The time is now.
16. Fundamental Attribution Error
Humans tend to: (1) Attribute someone else’s actions to their character—and not to their situation or context. (2) Attribute our actions to our situation and context—and not to our character. We cut ourselves a break, but hold others accountable.
17. The Effort Paradox
You have to put in more effort to make something appear effortless. Effortless, elegant performances are often the result of a large volume of effortful, gritty practice. Small things become big things. Simple is not simple.
18. Second-Order Thinking
Imagine a rock is thrown into a lake. The splash is the first-order effect. The ripples are the second-order effects. The world is filled with first-order thinkers—it’s easy. Dig deeper. Always ask “and then what?”—consider the layers of consequences.
19. Free Time as a Call Option
You’ve incorrectly been told that free time is bad. The reality: Free time is a call option on future interesting opportunities. When you have free time, you have the headspace to pursue exciting opportunities. Free time creates non-linear outcomes.
20. The Persuasion Paradox
Have you noticed that the most argumentative people rarely persuade anyone? The most persuasive people don’t argue—they observe, listen, and ask questions. Argue less, persuade more. Persuasion is an art that requires a paintbrush, not a sledgehammer.
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