Our Principles | Gueth

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How we do what we do

We help our clients to create market-leading Organizations.
By providing Strategy Advisory, and Change & Transformation Services.
We are human-centric. And at the same time we're business-focused.
But how do we do that?

We don't have company values.

Because corporate values are not an input for corporate culture. They are an output.

Value are what emerges, when people act and behave in a certain way.

Introduction to Principles

Introduction to Principles

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That's why instead of defining values, we actively appreciate a number of virtues.

And to make things more practical and relatable, we follow a number of principles.

Principles are concise statements that tell people not what an outcome should look like, but how they get to that outcome in a way that embodies what we stand for as an organization.

More on coprorate values

We appreciate 12 core virtues

We believe, that exceptional results are always built on a well-thought and carefully crafted foundation.

Strong conviction of how we do things is the best foundation for delivering outstanding value for our clients reliably and sustainably.

For that, we have identified twelve virtues that serve as our foundation:

Towards the inner self Accountability Humility Freedom Gratitude

Towards the outside world Curiosity Integrity Simplicity Spontaneity

Towards people Empathy Courage Diversity Love

We bring these virtues to life by working according to our principles:

1 - Principles for becoming a leader in your field

The first step, and the foundation for sustained success, is to become exceptional. While there are many myths, lots of speculation and unbearable amounts of unsubstantiated guesswork, there are also tried-and-true principles.

Own it and love it

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Own it and love it

Owners are leaders. Owners are builders with a champion mindset. They take responsibility for something because they love working on it. Owners don't sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of their crew and their company and they never say "that's not my job". Make it your job.

Love the process

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Love the process

A champion is somebody who brings every last ounce of passion to the field. In training even more than during game time. A champion benchmarks themselves and their teams against the best. They are vocally self-critical, even when it's awkward or embarrassing. A champion embraces struggle because they know that struggle begets growth. Champions operate at all levels, the stay connected to the details, question frequently and are sceptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them. When a champion gets knocked down - they get back up. When you keep getting up, it's really difficult to fail. Be a champion.

Insist on the highest standards

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Insist on the highest standards

We have relentlessly high standards. Many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. We are continually raising the bar to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Owners ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed in a way so that they stay fixed. Be a problem solver.

Bring your best self to work

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Bring your best self to work

*You* will always know whether you really did your best. If you hold yourself to your own highest standards, others will too. People will trust you, and they will trust your abilities. They will learn that they can rely on you. When you are working towards a goal in a team, always keep in mind that your team members count on you to achieve what you agreed on. They are working towards their goals, and trust that they can use what you contribute at the time that you agreed to deliver it. Deliver within your timeline - or notify others as early as possible if you can’t. Be the team mate you’d wish for.

Learn and be curious

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Learn and be curious

Curiosity leads you to places you don't expect to end up in. Good places. Curiosity is defined as an interest leading to inquiry. We embrace self-awareness. We embrace a conscious lack of knowledge. We appreciate when people ask questions. Questions are a proactive transformation of a vulnerability into a field of expertise. We celebrate being curious and exploring new opportunities. Stay intrigued.

2 - Principles for bringing (big) things to life

Rome hasn't been built over night. It has been build because there was a clear vision and there were well-thought systems. And that's true for all empires. If you want to build one yourself, you'll need to think and act like an empire-builder. Decisive. Quick. Resourceful.

Think big!

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Think big!

Thinking big is a self-fulfilling prophecy. So is thinking small. When you aim for the sky, you end up crawling to the top of a mountain. When you aim for mars, you end up flying to the moon. Think intergalactic.

Invent boldly

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Invent boldly

Building an empire requires innovation and invention from every single crew member. And it requires us to constantly find ways to simplify. Good leaders are externally aware. They look for new ideas everywhere. They are not limited by “not invented here.". When we take novel approaches, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time. When we’re having a fierce discussion on whether an idea makes sense or not, and the yays and nays couldn't be more divided, it's a good sign that it's something we should move forward with. Because when the majority of our own crew members have a blind spot - then the market definitely has it, too! Push your ideas forward, and do it fiercely.

Bring things to life quickly

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Bring things to life quickly

Ideas are shit - until you execute them. Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. Discussing an idea is guessing. Seeing which elements of it work once it's brought to life is knowing. We value calculated risk taking. Get things done.

Accomplish more with less

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Hire and develop the best

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Hire and develop the best

We raise the bar with every new crew member and with every promotion. We recognise people with exceptional talent and we proactively move them to our biggest opportunities. Leaders develop leaders and are serious about their role in coaching others. Empire builders work not for their own, but on behalf of other people to find new ways to help them develop their talent and skills. Guide those around you to greatness.

3 - Principles for building a better world

Whatever you are building, it will exist in the world you build it into. If you ignore that world, it will predictably disappoint you. Shape that world. Make it a better place. What that means is up to you and your standards.

Listen first

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Listen first

Before you react, seek to understand first. Ask “What for?” instead of “Why?”. Respectfully leave your two cents on the table and challenge decisions when you disagree. Even, and especially, when it’s uncomfortable or exhausting. Listen and ask first, then do speak your mind.

Apply kind candor

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Apply kind candor

When it's shit, we call it shit. We get straight to the point. But we do it kindly. And we never get personal. We celebrate sucesses and strenghts. And by the same token, we tell people when we expected more. Because it's unfair to people when you don't tell them where they missed the mark and where they made mistakes. Because that is where they have potential to grow. By not telling people where they can improve, you are holding them back. We help our crew members to live up to their potential. Tell people how they are great. And how they suck. Do the latter kindly.

Give 51 percent of the cake

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Give 51 percent of the cake

Give without expectation. Because giving with expectation is not giving. It’s transactional bartering. We always make sure, that the other side gets more than we do. When we need something, we never expect it. We never demand it. We never, ever take it. We will only ever ask kindly. This applies when you deal with other crew members, clients and, in fact, everyone else. Give with out expectation. Ask kindly and accept, when you don’t reveice.

4 - Principles for sustained business success

Business is not about winning. That's because there is no one you can win against. Business is about repeating three steps: identifying opportunities, making smart choices and building systems. Once you understand this, prioritizing long-term business success over short-term gains will automaticaly become the primary driver of your actions.

Be obsessed with your client

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Be obsessed with your client

We always start with the client and work backwards. Changing the world starts with people doing things that are meaningful for other people. In order to change the world, we need to work on meaningful things. Focus on our clients challenges and what truly helps them.

The market is always right

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The market is always right

When there is a debate on whether something makes sense, let the market decide. The company that serves clients best will win, ultimately. Let real-world results beat theories.

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