John Andrew's Thoughts

exhaustive debates

Debate is a wonderful thing when done correctly. Open-minded people with a difference in opinion express their point of view with the shared goal of common ground and resolution. 

Unfortunately, many people treat a debate like a tug of war. Pulling as hard as they can to achieve their desired outcome by tiring their opponent into submission. This type of manipulation leads to bad decisions and poor relationships. 

In the real world, debates are a team sport.  When you reach a common ground and create alignment, you win. Never find common ground, or tire your partner into submission, and you lose. 

levels of problem solving

There are simple problems that require few steps. 

Problem: The dishes are dirty. 

Solution: Wash the dishes. 


And then there are more complex problems. 

Problem: The dishes are dirty.

Solution: Wash the dishes

    Problem: We’re out of soap

    Solution: Get more soap

        Problem: The store was out of soap

        Solution: Go to another store

            ... 

A problem can often be judged by the number of levels. Whether a solution is reached depends on how many levels the person attempting to solve it are willing and able to go through to reach the outcome.

The majority of people choose not to go down more than a few levels. While others choose to dedicate their lives to conquering the millions of levels to reach an outcome. The world needs more of the latter. 


there are no rules

I think a lot of startups get wrapped up in what they do and how they do it, or worse how others do it. They then begin to think that anything outside of this is breaking the rules. Some startup cultures even punish rule breakers. But there are no rules. 

You don’t have to wait until Monday to start something. You don’t have to have a finished product before you start talking to potential customers. You don’t need to play by the rules, because there are no rules.