Top companies understand they face an uncertain environment and cannot accurately control or predict many significant events. On the other hand, they do not allow external, uncontrolled forces or events to determine the outcome of their activity - they take full responsibility for their fate. These companies stand out because of the paradoxical presence and absence of control.
Their success is based on three behavioral principles:
Fanatical discipline
Discipline involves consistency, loyalty to long-term values and goals, compliance with work requirements and methodology. Do not confuse discipline with regulation and submission in the hierarchy. Discipline is the independence of the mind, its resistance to pressure and compliance to long-term values or plans.
In pursuit of their goal, the great enterprises are ruthless, unwavering, persistent to the point of fanaticism.
Empirical creativity
When following their path in uncertain circumstances, big firms somewhat ignore traditional notions of reality and others’ actions. The term "empirical creativity" may seem difficult to understand, but its meaning is quite simple.
It represents the creativity based on quantitative and unambiguous knowledge. In other words, one does not rely on the opinions of authorities or unverified ideas of colleagues, but on direct observations and experiments. Enterprises use unusual methods and always ask themselves questions that go beyond everyday standards.
The task of the business giants is to empirically support their independent judgment and to direct their creative instinct. A complete empirical thinking allows them to take bold steps, while limiting the risks.
Top companies do not prefer analysis to action at all; they collect empirical data in preparation for decisive action.
Productive paranoia
The top guys are super alert not only in difficult times, but also in good times. In the calmest, most predictable, favorable situations, they do not forget that the circumstances can turn against them. Moreover, they are convinced that such circumstances will come true at the most inopportune moment. That’s why they always prepare themselves to face the catastrophe fully equipped.
Enterprises anticipate threats and take strong positions in order to repel any danger. Bill Gates even said: ,,One has to be guided by fear. I always acknowledge the possibility of failure".
For top companies, paranoia is productive and quite different. These companies are able to act effectively preventively. Fear encourages them to prepare calmly but cold-blooded and on a large scale.
People follow the top companies because their ambitions are what most dream of. They invest in something more meaningful and lasting than themselves, and they will be remembered.
