
The Subtle Art of Staying Out of It
REWORK
Ownership and Intention in Decision-Making
Exploring the principle of setting clear intentions in decision-making inspired by nuclear submarines. Emphasizing personal accountability, quick feedback cycles, and trust in organizational dynamics.
In this episode, REWORK host Kimberly Rhodes, talks with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, about the importance of stepping out of the day-to-day operations as a founder. Giving employees room to call the shots can spark new ideas and get things done faster. It also inspires people to think beyond just following orders.
Key Takeaways:
00:34 - The result of holding your grip too tight in your organization
02:36 - Find the middle ground between projects you should be directly involved in and those that can be managed by others
08:38 - Giving employees the freedom to make decisions can lead to increased productivity and better ideas
10:20 - Stepping in when it's necessary to realign urgency or quality
12:54 - Not all opinions weigh the same
15:28 - Trying to be involved in every task or decision reduces the organization's effectiveness
22:48 - Intent prompts people to think independently instead of just following a set of instructions, as described in the book Turn the Ship Around.
Links and Resources:
Staying Out of It Blog Post by Jason Fried
Turn The Ship Around book
Blue Ocean Strategy book