Acceptances (vs. wishful thinking)

A clear-eyed assessment of where the company truly stands—its structure, culture, products, and projects—is essential. Be real about the status quo. If there’s an incentive to sugarcoat or obscure reality, that’s a problem in itself and needs to be addressed..

Presence (vs. distraction)

Enable focused work. Every person in the organization—from interns to the CEO—should have time and capacity for deep, undistracted work, as well as for genuine presence in collaboration. Roles and projects must be staffed appropriately to ensure sustainable, productive conditions.

Patience (vs. speed)

Sometimes speed is necessary, but more often it pays to pause—step back, think things through, make a plan, and execute with realistic expectations of time and resources. Sustainable progress beats constant urgency.

Vulnerability (vs. invincibility)

Companies are made of humans, and we must allow their humanity to show. Mistakes and failures should be embraced as opportunities for learning. We can strive for excellence while accepting that we’ll often be average—and that’s why supportive, empathetic teams are vital.

Movement (vs. sitting still)

A body that never moves becomes unhealthy; the same is true for organizations. True agility isn’t just a buzzword—it requires flexible structures and cultures that empower rather than control. Change is constant, and that’s a good thing.