Mandate big leaps risk approach for H1
Situation
Directed Justin to take big leaps and calculated risks to meet H1 goals, especially with AI. Speed and learning prioritized over avoiding potential issues. Example: a vibe-coded Portal in one day is preferable to a 1.5-month architected build - worst case is a day lost, best case is massive time-to-market advantage.
Reasoning
Company survival depends on hitting H1 goals - playing it safe guarantees failure. Justin's risk-averse approach was slowing execution. AI creates asymmetric bets with limited downside. Framing through startup lens: inaction is the real threat, not failed experiments. Transparency about failures (documenting risks, sharing learnings) makes risk-taking sustainable.
Additional Context
Successfully communicated to Justin. Follow-up discussion planned with Justin, Max, and Nathan on applying this philosophy to distro work. Still need to communicate to rest of leadership team.
Related Context
Sub-decision · Feb 26, 2026 · Open
fathom
Take big leaps to meet H1 goals, especially with AI... The only path to success is for some big leaps to work out; avoiding risk guarantees failure
Outcome
Understanding from Justin. Realization that this message needs to be communicated clearly to ALL directs, not just Justin.
Rating: 4/5
Decision ID: e7ab8a27-9bd7-4dea-a675-9a5169179c7f