Principles

Dalio urges leaders of organizations to work for goals they are excited about; doing so will motivate others to push themselves. At the same time, everyone has much to do and there is never time to get everything done. Thus, Dalio urges his readers to use checklists to feel the satisfaction of completing goals, and also to take time to rest and celebrate.

Principles help instill good habits for decision making, while tools and protocols help increase the efficiency and success of decision making, according to Dalio. He again notes his belief that computers are indispensable tools to help collect and process data. Most fundamentally, companies will benefit from pursuing an idea meritocracy and leaning on principles to guide decision making.

Dalio insists that an “oversight system” of good governance is key to the health of an organization. He argues that all companies, even those based on an idea meritocracy, need a system of checks and balances. Such systems ensure that no one becomes too powerful and that people do not cluster into competing “fiefdoms.” Transparent reporting, clear delineation of who has the rights to make decisions, and relying on a group of leaders are all factors that all contribute to good governance.