I was recently directed to the Acquired Podcast by a friend. It is a fascinating, well-polished podcast in which the co-hosts deep dive companies and their founders’ stories. If you are into long-form podcasts, give it a whirl.
An episode I recently queued is on Lockheed (Martin). The episode was rich enough for me to turn the pages of Skunk Works for more intel on the group within Lockheed responsible for numerous technological marvels including the P-38 Lightning, the P-80 Shooting Star, the U-2, The SR-71 Blackbird, and the F-117 Nighthawk, to name a few. I enjoy pieces like the Skunk Works story because of their impressive technological and aeronautical contributions. I also enjoy such pieces because they provide insights into their work and project approaches. Any group of individuals who have accomplished something great provide lessons to be learned.
In the case of Skunk Works, Kelly Johnson’s 14 rules provided the grounding for all projects. These rules are incredibly specific to the defensive contracting work executed by Skunk Works, but they inspired me to brainstorm the grounding rules of my work. The commitment of Johnson and Skunk Works to their rules also inspired me to put my rules down on paper. There is a level of commitment and responsibility that comes with putting ink on paper and hitting publish but is absent in the medium of spoken (and potentially hot) air.
My grounding rules are:
1) Do few things.
2) Do things of importance.
3) Do things with detail.
4) Do things with intention.
5) Do things with conviction.
6) Do things with confidence.
Do few things. This is tied to and feeds several other rules, but deserves to stand on its own. I am a believer of intense, focused work being a key contributor to quality, depth, and innovation. Such intense, focused work is only possible when focused on doing a few things.
Do things of importance. Importance is a subjective concept, and numerous factors compete for one’s assessment of importance. My concept of importance is a balance of societal good (e.g., does this contribute to the improvement of society and help individuals achieve their goals?) and personal direction (e.g., does this align with my personal value system and ideals?). I tend to avoid considering or caring whether others find importance in my work, and my most professionally unhappy times have occurred due to having eyes toward external validation.
Do things with detail. Do not cut corners. Do not give half-efforts. Do not lose focus on the little things or the monotonous activities. The everyday actions and little things contribute more to our work than we care to acknowledge. By giving these areas detailed attention, we train ourselves to be detailed in everything we do.
Do things with intention. Be deliberate in your actions. Always check in with your decisions to determine the extent to which they are purposeful and aligned with your concept of importance. Do not fall subject to the ebb and flow of trends, or you will find yourself doing things based on the whims and desires of others (and your ego).
Do things with conviction. Conviction and intention go hand-in-hand. To perpetually act with intentions that align with your concept of importance requires that you have conviction in your ideals and your actions. Much like acting with intention, maintaining conviction helps you avoid the ebb and flow of trends. It forces introspective practices so that you clarify and commit to your beliefs. Conviction gives intention longevity.
Do things with confidence. Confidence is not the absence of anxiety, fear, or worry. Rather, it is a belief in the effectiveness of one’s own abilities. Confidence is a belief that no matter the outcome, you have the capacity and ability to meet that outcome and respond. Confidence is the belief that your response, no matter the outcome, will remain committed to your grounding rules. Confidence is knowing that no one and no outcome can take that from you. Confidence tells you it is OK to act. Confidence tells you that you MUST act, for it is only in acting that we can do things of importance and with detail, invention, and conviction.