To crystallize your personal operating principles, start by identifying your core values from a list of options, narrowing them down through discussion with someone you trust.

Establishing company values early helps guide decision-making. If everyone knows the framework for decisions, they are more likely to make consistent choices that align with the company's goals.

As a company grows, it's crucial to find people who share your values, as the small decisions they make can significantly impact success or failure.

Initially, we didn't articulate our values; we focused on who we enjoyed working with. As we scaled, we realized the need to define and communicate our values clearly.

The values and principles of a company reflect those of its founder and CEO, making it essential to establish them thoughtfully from the beginning.

It's important to communicate your company's mission and core values clearly, as everyone should know them by heart to ensure alignment in decision-making.

Values are the principles you adhere to in your company, and having the courage to stick to them is essential for long-term success.

Zappos learned the importance of defining core values early on, rather than waiting until the company grew larger. We wrote our core values down before hiring anyone, which took about six to seven months to finalize.

Writing down how and why things are done in the company is essential for maintaining clarity and consistency as the team grows.