Principles from Bill Campbell
Tackling the Elephant in the Room: Solving the Biggest Problem First
Estimated reading time (3 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“Solve the Biggest Problem First.” by Bill Campbell.
Bill Campbell, known as "The Trillion Dollar Coach," was a mentor and coach to some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley, including Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Eric Schmidt. One story that illustrates his impact comes from former Google executive Kim Scott.
Scott recounts a time when she was struggling with a difficult employee and went to Campbell for advice. Campbell asked her to describe the person and their role in the company. After hearing Scott's explanation, he immediately recognized the problem and said, "Oh, you have a G.O.D. problem."
Scott was taken aback and asked what he meant. Campbell explained that G.O.D. stood for "Good On Day One" and referred to employees who were impressive during the interview process but didn't continue to grow or develop in their roles.
Thanks to Campbell's insight, Scott could identify the root of the problem and take steps to address it. This story demonstrates Campbell's ability to cut through the noise and focus on the most important issue at hand, a skill that reflects his principle of solving the biggest problem first.
Question to Ponder
How can you develop the skill of prioritizing problems and identifying the biggest problem that needs to be solved in your personal or professional life?
Call to Action
Take some time this week to evaluate the problems you are facing in your personal or professional life. Use the steps outlined below to identify the biggest problem and start working on a plan of action to solve it. Practice this skill regularly to cultivate a habit of problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Take a step back and prioritize: When faced with multiple problems, take a moment to prioritize them based on their potential impact and urgency. Ask yourself which issues, if solved, will have the biggest positive impact on your life or business.
Define the scope: Once you have identified the biggest problem, define the scope of the problem. Determine the specific boundaries of the problem and what it will take to solve it. Break the problem down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Seek advice: Seek advice from others who have dealt with similar problems. Reach out to mentors or industry experts who can provide guidance and support.
Take action: Develop a plan of action and start working on the problem. Don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Remember that progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Video of the Week
Here is a video where Bill Campbell shares tips for CEOs.
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 67 - The First 100 with Mark Chahwan, the Founder of Sarwa
Episode 66 - The First 100 with Jorge Penalva, the Founder of Lang.ai
Things I Came Across this Week
Every Monday morning Josh shares a quick solopreneur story or tip from his week as a Canadian immigration lawyer/tech cofounder, while he grows his business and shares key lessons along the way. Sign up for the weekly email here!.
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