Reader Question

KAP Alum, Ben Stafford, sent in this email:

I recently read an article by Collins called "Building your company's vision" and attached is a cheat sheet I wrote based on the essay.  My question after reading this is where do Koch's 10 guiding principles fit in? 

It would seem they are the "Core Values" he talks about it.  But Collins stresses that there should only be only 3-4 core values and companies that had more than five never made the good to great cut, not because that was a qualifier but just by correlation.  So according to him the meaning we can gather from that is we should just pick a few that are core and focus on those.

How does that work at KII / CGKCF?  Do  people really truly focus on all ten all the time or does there naturally end up being 3 or 4 that get more attention?  Does relentlessly trying to balance all 10 perhaps hamper value creation? 

I can only speak for my personal experience, which I've found to be true with both the Guiding Principles and learning the mental models. Some aspects of MBM come more naturally for me than others, and I personally can only give focused attention to only a couple of things at a time to get sustained change.  In theory, once these few things sink in, I can focus my attention on the next step. That's just from one individual's perspective.

Also, I have read articles that claim Koch "over-trains" its people and spends too much time focusing on these "soft" things. So, maybe since Collins is left with just public companies, he isn't picking up on something in which private companies have an advantage: long-term thinking. My view is that with the long-run view, 10 Principles can be balanced (even if it comes in fits and waves) because people have time to learn, grow and internalize over the long haul.

What do you readers think? How would you answer Ben's email?

Comments

[Jonny B]

I am naturally suspect of any list of items to "enhance performance" or "provide guidance". 7 Habits, huh? Are you sure there isn't at least one more that might work for some? 10 Principles, huh? Are you sure there are only 10?
When it comes to the 10 Principles of MBM I think that Collins would miss the point and many of the nuances. In fact, after reading his book during KAP 09-10, I'm pretty sure he is just interested in lip service that sells books to the wannabes. (sorry for the vitriol)
Take MBM Principle #4: Principled Entrepreneurship. Inside of this juggernaut of a guiding principle, lies several "sub-principles" for lack of a better word. Many of these would be considered soft skills but, it begs the question, "At what point do you teach someone these skills?" Obviously it's not in modern common sense and if you want to grow from a wannabe to an am, then I think it's necessary. Especially if it's worth it and believe me, it is.
Good question, though, Staffaction. I'm interested to see what anyone else thinks.

[Andy Gillette]

On the Principle Entrepreneurship note, in addition to the 'sub-principles' within that definition, I think that the "Principled" part of "Priniciple Entrepreneurship" implies even more. If you look at the definition, it focuses on aspects of entrepreneurialism and not acting in a principled way. I think the "Principled" portion is following the other nine Guiding Principles. That's a lot to keep in mind!