The Platform Tao

"tao" means a road, path, way; and hence, the way in which one does something; method, doctrine, principle.

Our Tao is a guiding ethos for everything we do at Platform, and is the cultural DNA for every Platform company.

1. We respect hard work, but we worship results
   Working hard is necessary but not sufficient. Don’t confuse working hard with getting results.

2. Focus
   Do a few things well, rather than many things poorly. Spend your time every day doing the things that give you the most leverage to achieve the results you need.

3. Show decisive pragmatism
   Fight for what you believe in, but not everything has to be a fight. Most decisions are reversible. The best decision is a made decision. Analysis paralysis burns time, and time is precious.

4. Be data-driven
   Data doesn’t always tell the whole story, but it tells most of the story, most of the time. Make smart bets. Be intellectually honest.

5. Build with integrity
   Externalities matter. Be mindful of unintended consequences.

6. Be clear
   Err on the side of over-communication. Use Radical Candor – it’s not mean; it’s clear.

7. Take your work seriously…but not yourself
   Building startups is stressful, infuriating, exhausting. Laughter is the best medicine.

8. Be humble
   Be grateful for the huge privilege to work with some of the smartest people from all over the world to build category-defining startups.

9. Everyone works for the customer
   Whatever your role, directly or indirectly, you are in service of the user or customer.