Playground's 9 Founding Principles
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I first got interested in the idea of developing principles for my company after hearing about Nike’s 11 Maxims in a podcast episode of Business Wars.
I was hesitant to implement this at first. After all, we’re a new company and we’re a small team, so would people even care?
After a while of this, I stopped the questioning and reasoned with myself that the only way to find out is to try.
The week before, the team and I had engaged in an intense strategy session where we discussed our plan for the new year. During that discussion, we talked about our values as a company.
I gave myself a week to think about the culture I wanted to create at Playground and I kept a list of words and phrases on my phone.
In such an early stage of a company, for people to buy into these principles, I wanted them to feel that this also came from them.
Pulling from our list of values, strengths, and interests I pondered, added, and removed phrases that would become the guiding principles of the company.
This list was made with the intent that it would be relevant for a 2-person team or a 200-person team. No matter the roles of the members, the principles would remain applicable and guide all of our actions.
Here they are, the 9 Playground Principles:
- Teach and accept to be taught. Share what you know with others. Listen to alternate perspectives and new findings.
- Be the example. Actions speak louder than words.
- Customer service is everyone’s job. It pays to be courteous, in dollars and feelings.
- Dare to take chances. No one has ever made an impact staying in the safe zone.
- Stay curious. Seek to understand the root of things.
- Be honest. Be respectful, but speak your mind.
- Adapt, adjust, and move forward. Mistakes will happen, unexpected events will arise, and life keeps going.
- The client is a partner. We’re invested in each other’s success.
- Think like a detective. Information can get jumbled for various reasons.
Uncover the cause and propose a solution.
I believe that this list encompasses how we should act internally and with the community. It gives a sense of purpose and tells others interested in joining us or working with us that this is what we aim to do every day.