How I Developed the Principled Way of Thinking

What happened is I found that I needed to write down my criteria and test them. So I started with the markets because, you know, it's tough to wrestle all in your head with everything.

I found that I needed to do that, and I could test the criteria. I found that transformative because, one, I could test them; I know how they would have worked. I tested the logic, and when I tested them, I learned in ways that I wouldn't have learned.

Then I could systemize the decision-making. I could write them into equations, I could have the computer help me, and I could be understood by the people I was with. We could debate the criteria rather than just screaming our conclusions at each other.

That then led me to do the same thing when I'm managing the company. Okay, I have a company; it grows from 9 to 1500 people, and you know how do we communicate how we do it? How do you have an idea of meritocracy? How do you do that?

So writing down my criteria and the principles and then saying, "Should we debate that? Is that the right way?"