Back to Chapter 01 The Field Manual · 25 Tactics

The 25
Tactics

The operating principles, one card at a time — 25 tactics spanning the Algorithm, mindset, leadership, people, and strategy. Filter by theme, or open any one for the full breakdown.

Question Every Requirement

Never accept a requirement blindly — trace every rule back to a person, then challenge it.

Delete Any Part of the Process You Can

Delete ruthlessly, then add back only the ~10% you actually need.

Simplify and Optimize After Deletion

Only after deleting do you simplify — most systems are needlessly complex.

Accelerate Cycle Time

Once you've deleted and simplified, accelerate relentlessly — but only after the fundamentals are right.

Automate Last

Automating too early is a trap — perfect the manual process first, then scale it.

Technical Managers Must Be Hands-On

No pure management roles — leaders stay deeply technical and keep doing the work.

People & Culture

Camaraderie Is Dangerous

When friendships outrank the mission, decision-making gets compromised.

It's Okay to Be Wrong — Just Not Confidently Wrong

Being wrong is acceptable; being confidently wrong is not.

Never Ask Your Troops to Do What You Won't

Lead from the front — never ask employees to make sacrifices you won't make yourself.

Do Skip-Level Meetings for Problem-Solving

Bypass the hierarchy to get unfiltered information from the people doing the actual work.

People & Culture

Hire for Attitude, Not Just Skills

Skills can be taught; determination and mission alignment cannot.

Strategy & Speed

Maintain a Maniacal Sense of Urgency

Speed is a competitive advantage — most organizations simply move too slowly.

Only Physics Dictates the Rules

Physical laws can't be broken; everything else is a recommendation.

Strategy & Speed

Change Laws If They Hinder the Goal

When regulations block progress, work to change them rather than accept them as immutable.

Find the Limit by Deleting as Much as Possible

Remove components until the system fails, then add back only what's necessary.

Go as Close to the Source as Possible

Get information from primary sources, not filtered or summarized reports.

Start With Whatever Is Available

Begin with the resources you have — resist overcomplicating or waiting for perfect conditions.

Work Manically Hard — Be a Frontline General

Lead from the front with extraordinary intensity, and expect the same from your teams.

Repeat Key Messages to Ensure Understanding

Important messages must be repeated consistently to drive alignment and behavior change.

People & Culture

Prioritize Mission Over Relationships

Make decisions that advance the mission, even when it means severing personal relationships.

People & Culture

Interview and Select Talent Personally

Talent selection is too important to delegate — interview key hires yourself.

Frame Endeavors as Epoch-Making

Frame the mission in terms of historical significance and impact on humanity's future.

Strategy & Speed

Hold Daily Meetings for Critical Problems

For critical challenges, meet daily until the issue is resolved — keeping focus intense.

Learn From Toys for Innovation

Toys and games hold elegant, simplified solutions you can apply to complex engineering.

Strategy & Speed

Optimize Every Turn, Like in Polytopia

Treat each decision as a move with limited resources that must be optimized.