For some leaders, the best way to understand a problem is to break it down into its most fundamental assumptions and principles. The idea of thinking in “first principles” was first discussed by Aristotle more than 2,000 years ago. Today, Elon Musk champions this approach to arrive at sound reasoning, quality decisions, and innovative solutions.
Not sure. I was unconscious of it until my boss pointed it out three decades ago. It may result from a combination of my being overawed by authority due to my 12 years of Catholic schooling and my being appalled by authority due to my 12 years of Catholic schooling.
Another excellent, informative, and insightful post! Many decades ago, my boss (one of a half-handful of decent ones I had) told me he liked assigning new projects to me because I always did what I was told at first and then started innovating. Although I was not aware of this tendency, he was right, and I have used that technique ever since. It is my version of first principles. Learn how something is done by doing it conventionally and then figure out how do it better.
Not sure. I was unconscious of it until my boss pointed it out three decades ago. It may result from a combination of my being overawed by authority due to my 12 years of Catholic schooling and my being appalled by authority due to my 12 years of Catholic schooling.
Another excellent, informative, and insightful post! Many decades ago, my boss (one of a half-handful of decent ones I had) told me he liked assigning new projects to me because I always did what I was told at first and then started innovating. Although I was not aware of this tendency, he was right, and I have used that technique ever since. It is my version of first principles. Learn how something is done by doing it conventionally and then figure out how do it better.
Outstanding insight and simplification…first principles writing!
Can you recommend any good references to learn more about first principles? The technique, how it is done?