Reasoning about complex ideas can be done more effectively by breaking them down into simple pieces and finding novel ways to recombine them. By helping you look at the world with fresh eyes, it results in novel, out-of-the-box solutions for existing problems.
Don’t know where to start? Here are some great resources.
This is where you should start! You’ll get a taste of how leading figures who shaped our world came up with their groundbreaking ideas, with examples from academic research (Albert Eistein) to the field of business (Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Brian Chesky).
The links below provide insights on how to apply this kind of thinking to different domains.
Frameworks for first principles thinking and more
Ayo Omojola, CPO at Carbon Health, talks about his experience building a consumer app and why you should sometimes ignore experts.
The unconventional Palantir principles that catalyzed a generation of startups
Palantir is a public company whose alumni have gone on to build nine unicorns, from Anduril to Handshake to Amplitude, and over 100 additional venture-backed companies.
Playing infinite games, operating from first principles, and maximizing human potential
Want to know why it’s important to reduce complexity and develop and leverage your unique talent stack? You don’t want to miss this interview with Toby Lütke, the CEO of Shopify, a multi-billion-dollar business that powers a large chunk of eCommerce in the US. (If you want to skip ahead to the good stuff, use this link: First principles thinking.)
If you enjoyed this content, there’s more! See the resources for further reading below.
Resources for further reading for:
Entrepreneurs, especially first timers
Pre-product market fit founders
Growth stage product managers
Product managers at established companies