Principles Insights

When it comes to culture, we’ve all seen organizations chase the latest strategies, trends and fads (e.g., beer on tap in the office). Yet, many overlook the fundamental bedrock of sustainable success: clearly defined and authentically lived core values. These aren’t just buzzwords on a wall; they are the guiding principles that shape culture, drive decisions, and ultimately determine an organization’s longevity and impact. The Indispensable Role of Core Values Core values serve as the compass for an entire organization, uniting individuals toward a shared purpose. As Kristen Gale of Forbes Business Council succinctly puts it, they are “integral to business success because they unify a group of people around a common goal” and “give teams purpose.” These principles dictate the behaviors and priorities a leader values most, ensuring that every action aligns with the company’s overarching mission. Robert Simons, a Harvard Business School Professor, emphasizes that “the best companies—the ones that are most competitive and lead their industries decade after decade—put enormous emphasis on their core values and beliefs.” Effective core values are twofold: they inspire pride among employees and provide clear guidance for navigating challenging decisions. This clarity is crucial, especially when tough choices arise, helping employees understand

I’ve worked on some of the smartest teams. Teams with billions in backing and mission statements that could change the world, yet I’ve never seen communication fall apart faster. When every group is laser-focused on the same big goal, you’d think conflict would vanish. Instead, it just moved underground: emails went unanswered, assumptions ran wild, and small misunderstandings ballooned into full-blown silos. But the reality is conflict isn’t the enemy. When you’re all aligned on mission, healthy disagreement is exactly what drives innovation and keeps us honest. The trick is giving that energy a structure and a shared vocabulary so it fuels progress instead of frustration. That’s where personality awareness comes in. By understanding what motivates each of us, how we naturally interact, and how those styles collide, we can channel conflict into productive debate that drives towards results. Why Structured Conflict Wins Keeps us sharp. Questioning ideas uncovers gaps before they become crises. Forges ownership. When you’re part of the discussion, you buy into the outcome. Breaks down silos. Cross-functional debates force teams to surface assumptions and join together around a stronger plan. Google’s Project Aristotle found that its highest-performing teams were precisely those whose members felt safe admitting

In order to understand how organizations function, the machine metaphor has been used extensively since the early 1900s: “we need to run like a well-oiled machine…” Organizations are portrayed as efficient, methodical machines- highlighting the importance of roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure, and showing how all of these elements must work together in unison to achieve objectives. Like many good machines, at the heart lies an engine. For the organization, teamwork is like the engine that drives success… but what sparks this engine? What are the sparkplugs, fuel injectors and gasoline? At Principles, we think the key lies in understanding the personalities within a team. When team members know each other better, they can work together more smoothly, solve problems faster, and push creative boundaries. The Power of Personality Awareness Remember group projects from high school or college? There is a reason why people still joke about them years later. Maybe it was the one person who dominated the discussion while another barely spoke- or didn’t even participate. This varied response to a shared task can happen when team members don’t know each other well, don’t feel comfortable holding each other accountable and/or don’t recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Creativity + Innovation Coach, and PrinciplesYou Certified Coach Most people assume creativity is a rare talent or a job description. But what if your creative intelligence, or your ability to navigate change, solve problems, and imagine new paths, is already hiding in plain sight, embedded in the way you think? That’s the power of understanding your thinking style. And few tools illuminate it as clearly as the PrinciplesYou assessment. Many personality assessments tend to reduce people into tight categories, like diagnostic snapshots that can feel black-and-white. Even when backed by rigorous science, the results often fall short, reinforcing overly simplistic judgments about who we are and how we work with others.  In contrast, PrinciplesYou offers a more layered and dynamic picture, one that illuminates the nuance of how your mind actually operates, especially under pressure, in collaboration, and through complexity. It helps you learn not only how you process information, but how you instinctively make decisions and lead others.  When viewed through the lens of Creative Intelligence (CQ), those insights can become a launchpad for real transformation. Creative Intelligence Is More Than Creativity Creative Intelligence (CQ) is a dynamic, human-centered framework I developed while coaching professionals through complex transitions and

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful teamwork- but yet, many teams struggle with a lack of open and honest dialogue. In fact, only 13% of their leaders practiced effective workplace communication (Gallup, 2022).There is feedback unspoken, ideas not shared, and growth not achieved. Actually, there is even a common phrase when we attempt to break the ice toward more direct feedback: “Can I speak candidly?” Candid communication, or the ability to speak freely and directly without fear of judgment or reprisal, is essential for building trust, fostering innovation, and achieving shared goals. That trust, innovation and goal achievement is critical to driving an organization forward…So why are teams not investing their attention to the root driver? Creating a Culture of Candid Communication Nearly 30% of the time, organizations experience low retention because of ineffective communication between management and staff members (Forbes, 2024). Building a culture of candid communication requires a concerted effort from both team leaders and individual team members. Of course, it is easier said than done. But like all good journeys, we just need to start with a single step. Here are some strategies to consider: The Benefits of Candid Communication Of course, organizations want to see

Why personalizing the onboarding experience drives better engagement, retention, and performance Traditional onboarding often follows a one-size-fits-all approach: paperwork, policies, systems access, and maybe (if you’re lucky) a welcome lunch. However, if organizations want to break the mold and accelerate the impact of their efforts they need more than logistics—they need to build intrapersonal connections. That’s where team-based personality-based onboarding comes in. It’s a smarter, more strategic way to activate new hires from day one by understanding who they are, how they work best, and where they fit in the team.  Make Personality Your Starting Point Personality insights offer a powerful foundation for personalizing onboarding experiences. When organizations assess a new hire’s strengths, communication style, and work preferences early on, they’re equipped to deliver an onboarding journey that’s far more relevant and impactful.  Instead of guessing what will resonate or just throwing an employee into the fix in a way that is commonly described as “overwhelming”, HR teams and managers can tailor learning formats, communication approaches, and social integration based on what makes each person tick. For instance, an extroverted team member might thrive in collaborative workshops and networking opportunities, while a more introspective hire might appreciate one-on-one mentoring and

Organizational culture has emerged as a pivotal factor that can significantly influence workplace outcomes. Gone are the days when culture was seen merely as a nebulous concept; it now stands as a strategic lever that can be measured and managed effectively. To do so, leaders must move beyond assumptions and gut feelings gleened from water-cooler talk or Zoom-reactions during team calls.  Instead, they should aim to understand the real dynamics shaping their teams and organizations  through data-backed  culture measures where the meaningful data can empower them to make informed, strategic decisions that elevate performance and engagement. Transforming Culture into Strategy Understanding the Impact of Culture “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” – Peter Drucker Transforming culture into strategy is not just a leadership ideal—it’s a performance imperative. Research from Forbes reveals that companies with adaptive, operationalized cultures experience nearly 50% revenue growth, significantly outperforming the 17% growth seen in non-adaptive cultures. Moreover, organizations with strong cultures can see up to 85% higher net profits over five years. However, aligning culture with strategy requires more than just writing exciting words on the office walls. Instead, organizational leadership should be intentional in their actions to help steer behavior, enable alignment during periods of

Effective leadership is essential in any organization- and leadership styles are profoundly shaped by personality. Recognizing how personality influences an individual’s potential can help organizations develop leaders who inspire others and drive success. Leaders—whether seasoned or emerging—benefit greatly from understanding their own personality traits and how these impact their approach to leadership, allowing them to leverage strengths, address areas for growth, and foster positive team dynamics. Self-awareness is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders who understand their personality traits, strengths, and preferences are better equipped to adapt their style to different situations. Examining how they naturally handle tasks, communicate, make decisions, and resolve conflict enables leaders to make the most of their strengths while managing any limitations. Moreover, personality awareness helps leaders appreciate and navigate the diversity within their teams, creating harmony and enhancing collaboration. With PrinciplesUs, we look to provide a scientifically backed tool to support this.  Personality also deeply influences leadership styles. Extroverted leaders, for instance, might adopt an assertive, outgoing approach, while introverted leaders may lead through careful observation and thoughtfulness. Similarly, empathetic leaders often excel at relationship-building and trust, while those with a more analytical mindset may prioritize data-driven decisions. Understanding these variations allows organizations to