This post discusses the ‘creed’ for a software technology company, Automaticc. It goes deep with line by line thoughts on the creed, as well as detailed discussion of implications for strategy and project management. This is full of ideas for action for the strategic PM.
The Automattic Creed
I bumped across this today, and thought I would share it. It really impressed me…and spoke to me in a deep way. It’s a creed – or sort of mission statement, but more.
THE AUTOMATTIC CREED
I will never stop learning. I won’t just work on things that are assigned to me. I know there’s no such thing as a status quo. I will build our business sustainably through passionate and loyal customers. I will never pass up an opportunity to help out a colleague, and I’ll remember the days before I knew everything. I am more motivated by impact than money, and I know that Open Source is one of the most powerful ideas of our generation. I will communicate as much as possible, because it’s the oxygen of a distributed company. I am in a marathon, not a sprint, and no matter how far away the goal is, the only way to get there is by putting one foot in front of another every day. Given time, there is no problem that’s insurmountable.
I think this ‘creed’ – while specific to Automattic – speaks to various aspects of strategic and tactical thinking – the subject of this blog. It brings together the why and how – in a world of uncertainty.
Let’s take a closer look and thinking about what each statement is saying.
Line By Line – Strategic, Tactical, and Digital
Here’s a breakdown, line by line – with my ideas on what it means.
- I will never stop learning – This recognizes that change is inevitable, and knowledge is perishable. Learning is part of strategy – part of making the enterprise sustain and survive.
- I won’t just work on things that are assigned to me – There is a value in generosity…and teamwork. And it is essential to survival. We are co-dependent, or interdependent. We are individuals, but are a team, and together are worth more than the sum of the parts. Let’s help each other advance so that we altogether can advance.
- I know there’s no such thing as a status quo – This acknowledges that everything is susceptible to change, and to being disrupted. That is both an opportunity and a risk.
- I will build our business sustainably through passionate and loyal customers – This acknowledges that the customer is the center…that without the customer we have nothing. It defines sustainment and survival of the business as maintaining a healthy and growing relationship with customers – by making them passionate and loyal.
- I will never pass up an opportunity to help out a colleague, and I’ll remember the days before I knew everything – This encourages everyone to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Of course, no one knows everything – it puts it in plain and fun language – so we all need help sometimes. Plus, generosity is the food for relationships, and this is the attitude to take to provide that food.
- I am more motivated by impact than money – This recognizes that it’s not always easy to fully see the end result of our efforts. Some efforts may be profitable, but all contribute something to positive results in some way. Ultimately, an accumulation of positive actions and results – whether from curiosity, or doing good, or doing the right thing – come. And if people are doing things that have impact, there’s opportunity to make strategic decisions along the way.
- I know that Open Source is one of the most powerful ideas of our generation – This is a clear statement about the company’s approach to making money. I note that it specifically is saying that it will keep its code open source and not proprietary, as a matter of value and strategy. Other things will allow it to make money, and the common good will best be served.
- I will communicate as much as possible, because it’s the oxygen of a distributed company – This highlights and essential ingredient in toady’s remote, work from wherever you are environment. Just because people are not co-located – something that is increasingly impossible and even undesirable – does not mean that communications will be less. Instead, this statement challenges people to find to ways and reasons to communicate.
- I am in a marathon, not a sprint – This clearly describes the value of long range thinking. Moving in a positive direction consistently, and begin will to change when needed, is OK in a marathon. And keeping your eye on the distant future is helpful for thinking truly strategically.
- No matter how far away the goal is, the only way to get there is by putting one foot in front of another every day – This takes #9 a step further…that continuing to move toward the goal is most important. Of course, agile allows us to break down the long term goal into much shorter steps where progress is easy to measure, near term motivation is achieved, and we can all feel a sense of accomplishment along the way to distant goals.
- Given time, there is no problem that’s insurmountable – This is the ultimate motivator. One cannot help but think positively with such an attitude. It is required for strategy and implementation to be the most powerful and effective.
There is clearly a lot of meaning behind this – what do you think?
Let me refine my thoughts by focusing specifically of implications for strategy, then project management.
Implications for Strategy
The Automattic creed reflects a set of values and principles that can have several implications for the strategy of a business. Let’s analyze how each statement in the creed may influence a business’s strategy:
- Continuous Learning – The business should prioritize ongoing education and skill development. It should lean in on investments in employee training and development programs, and foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
- Proactive Initiative – The culture should be encouraging toward a proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation. The culture should encourage employees to take the initiative, ultimately identifying new opportunities and improvements.
- Anticipating Change – The culture should highlight the need to be vigilant about changes in the business environment. The strategy needs to be adaptable and ready to pivot when necessary.
- Customer Focus – The focus on the customer’s needs and desires needs to be apparent in conversations from the top of the organization down to every single employee. Customer-centric strategies and long-term relationships are a priority.
- Collaboration and Humility – The culture and strategy should facilitate and promote teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mentorship within the organization.
- Impact-Driven – The strategy should focus on creating value that makes a positive difference – with certain defined social responsibility, ethical, and other non-financial considerations – in addition to the necessity of achieving financial success.
- Open Source Advocacy – There should be a profound belief in collaboration and open innovation demonstrated in practice. The business should adopt and contribute to open-source practices and build commercial strategy around that.
- Communication – As a distributed organization – sourcing the best talent wherever it is – the strategy should prioritize effective internal and external communication. This can impact decision-making processes and customer relationships.
- Long-Term Perspective – The business strategy must balance setting achievable milestones with building a long term, sustainable competitive advantage.
- Problem Solving – The business must foster a problem-solving orientation. This is consistent with empowerment through training and education as well as encouraging initiative and personal responsibility.
It’s about the practicalities of the implementation of strategy, as I covered in various posts, such as McKinsey 7S Framework, Digital Transformation Strategy, Business Model Innovation, and Network Effect .
And the discussion on ‘business core values and the strategic PM‘ hits on many of the same point.
The creed shapes the culture, values, and priorities, and the strategy must be developed in alignment with these principles. It must be in order to create sustainable value in the long run.
Implications for Project Management
The Automattic creed contains values and principles that can significantly impact the management and implementation of projects within a business. Here’s how each element of the creed can influence project management:
- Continuous Learning – Project teams should be encouraged to continually learn and adapt. This includes utilizing improved project methodologies best practices, and the incorporation of new tools and technologies as they become available.
- Proactive Initiative – Team members should be empowered to take the initiative and explore innovative solutions to project challenges. This can foster creativity and agility in project management culture.
- Anticipating Change – Project managers and teams should be vigilant in anticipating changes in project requirements and the external environment. The approach need to be flexible to adapt to changing project conditions.
- Customer Focus – Project objectives should align with creating value for passionate and loyal customers. That includes not only the stakeholders of the project, but the full set of customers of the organization. Customer satisfaction on both fronts needs to be top priority.
- Collaboration and Humility – This encourages a culture of collaboration within project teams, where team members help each other and mentor newcomers. Improved project outcomes through knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving are more likely.
- Impact-Driven – Define clear project goals that focus on creating a positive impact, even if they don’t directly correlate with financial gains. This can involve social or environmental considerations in project planning.
- Open Source Advocacy – Use of open-source tools and practices by default for project development. This can promote collaboration, reduce costs, and enhance project transparency. And it’s consistent with the company-wide approach.
- Communication – Emphasize regular and transparent communication among team members, stakeholders, and project sponsors. Keep the importance front and center for all team members, especially in a distributed project environment.
- Long-Term Perspective – Consistent with the approach of the strategic PM, view all projects as part of a long-term business strategy. How does the project align with the organization’s overarching goals and contribute to sustainable growth.
- Problem Solving – Encourage a problem-solving mindset in project teams. When challenges arise, the focus should be on finding solutions and not giving up. Persistence and adaptability are key.
It’s all about matching the strategy to the culture – in this case one of adaptability, customer-centricity, collaboration, ethical considerations, and a focus on long-term impact. It is essential for project managers and teams to internalize these values and incorporate them into their project management methodologies and decision-making processes.
Conclusion
This post delved into the ‘creed’ for a software technology company, Automaticc. It provided my line by line thoughts on the creed, as well as detailed discussion of implications for strategy and project management.
What are your thoughts and ideas on this creed?
This Video, “Our company values, from the inside out”, can help get you thinking outside the box.
hey John :),
thanks for the article, it was rly insightful. i found the Automattic creed inspiring. as someone who works in tech, I can relate to the importance of continuous learning and staying adaptable. I also believe that focusing on customers and collaboration is key. open source is indeed a powerful concept.
this creed is a great framework for success in strategy and project management. it’s all about being agile and making a positive impact 🚀
This blog provides a thoughtful analysis of the Automatic Creed and its implications for both business strategy and project management. It breaks down each element of the creed, showing how its principles can influence various aspects of a company’s approach.
The critical takeaway is aligning company culture, values, and strategy to create sustainable value and long-term success. This blog is a valuable resource for those looking to adopt a more agile, customer-focused, and ethical approach to business.
Yes, I agree, alignment is the key! Thank you for your comment!
Great Job. Your explanation/description helped me learn about The Automatic Creed. I never heard of that before. It is pretty educational and interesting. Very powerful as well. It is very inspiring and it is true, that you never stop learning. We cannot keep up with software technology. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Carole. One person alone cannot keep up with sw tech – or anything else! But as a team, we can share common beliefs and approaches, which is largely what the Creed does.
I found your insights on the Automattic Creed and its connection to long-range agile thinking to be incredibly insightful. It’s fascinating how a set of principles can drive a company’s approach to strategy. Have you personally seen this approach in action at Automattic or in other companies you’ve worked with? I’d love to hear about specific instances where long-range thinking had a significant impact on project success.
Additionally, your emphasis on adaptability and continuous learning resonated with me. In today’s fast-paced business environment, being able to pivot and learn from both successes and failures is crucial. How do you encourage your team or colleagues to embrace this mindset in their project management efforts? Your experience and strategies in this regard would be valuable for fellow project managers. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful analysis!
Thanks for you comment – and questions! I do not have experience specifically with the Automattic Creed, but do have experience with other similar things. For example, Accenture sets up goal, or priority, setting in alignment with the key objective areas of the business. So, each employee develops 3-5 priorities in their selection of areas, so as a global team, there is alignment.
It’s true that Automattic is an agile solution foe those who need to improve their business constantly. I really like that they crafted their mission statement like a creed! It’s bringing a more spiritual side to their mission. I enjoy in particular the focus on continuous learning, building loyal customers, the sharing of ideas. Also, the open source advocacy is amazing, as always!
Yes, agreed! It’s good to see a spiritual side there. I find it very personalized and therefore motivating. Thanks for your comment!
In terms of experience, I work in corrections and it is a continuous learning experience. There is still so much I have to learn, especially with inmate accountability and tool control. I have gotten better at it. This just means I’m continuously learning as I go along with my career in security. My MPH (Masters in Public Health) degree is adaptable that I can use it in any concentration, be it in research or working with people.
Thanks for your comment – and especially for sharing your personal experience in security! We are all ‘works in progress’!
The first and most important line of the creed means that you’re never finished. There is always more to learn. Your list of unread books is always going to be longer than the ones you’ve read. I fully agree with this and I always believe that we should always be learning throughout our lives. If we stop learning and just sit back, we start to lose our knowledge instead of growing it. At the end of the day, you wouldn’t want to regret the choices you have made in your life when you grow old and look back at your life.
Markus, thanks for your comment! Indeed, it has never been more clear that we are never finished learning! I liked the way the Creed brings that and other more specific ideas together as a common rallying point for the organization.
Very interesting creed…What points out to me is that I’m in a marathon not a sprint and the only way to meet my goals is to put one foot in front of the other each day.
I have a goal to write 10 comments twice a day on other people’s articles so that I can have feedback on my own site. A bit selfish in nature, but then it is more blessed to give than receive isn’t it?
That does not sound too selfish to me – to give 10 comments twice daily to other people! I suggest that you just participate as unselfishly as possible and karma will happen. Best of luck to you!
John, your breakdown of the Automattic Creed and its implications for both strategy and project management is incredibly insightful. The creed’s emphasis on continuous learning, proactive initiative, and anticipating change resonates deeply with me, especially in the context of today’s rapidly evolving business environment. I’m particularly intrigued by the balance between open-source advocacy and creating sustainable business value. How do you see this balance playing out in practice, especially in industries that are traditionally more closed-off? Also, the point about communication being the ‘oxygen of a distributed company’ is spot on. In your experience, what are some effective strategies for maintaining clear and consistent communication in a remote work setting? This article has certainly sparked some new ideas for me, and I’m keen to explore how these principles can be applied in different business contexts.
I cannot help but think that industries that are closed off will be less and less able to survive. The new competitive advantage is network advantage – see my post on Network Effects.
And I think that for remote work settings, regular touchpoints, consistent deliverable requirements, and teambuilding-focused meetings are most effective. But there is so much more to it! Thanks for asking – could be subject for a future post.
Hi John,
I just read your post on “The Automattic Creed: Long Range Thinking That’s Agile,” and I must say, it’s quite an exciting piece. Your line-by-line breakdown of the Automattic Creed and its implications for both strategy and project management is thought-provoking. It’s intriguing how you’ve connected the creed’s principles to practical aspects of business strategy and project management.
One thing that stood out to me is the emphasis on open-source advocacy and its role in shaping business strategy. It’s a refreshing perspective in today’s competitive business environment. However, I’m curious about how you see this approach evolving in the future, especially as technology and market dynamics continue to change rapidly. Do you think the principles of the Automattic Creed will remain as relevant in the next decade, or will they need significant adaptation?
Thank you for your work and sharing this insightful analysis.
Best regards
Makhsud
Yes, I think the idea of open source as a philosophy is here to stay. Think about AI! ChatGPT is open source. Products are being built on top of it. I’m thinking the days are largely gone of proprietary core software.
Having worked in project management, I find the investigation to be meaningful and thought-provoking. The essay does a good job of emphasizing the value of having an agile mindset in addition to long-term planning—a concept that is essential in the fast-paced world of project management. The focus on self-governance, ongoing education, and flexibility is in line with the fundamentals of effective project management. It’s helpful to hear these ideas explained in the context of Automattic’s experiences since it offers other project managers who want to encourage a culture of agility and strategic thinking in their teams useful advice.
Yes – learn from what others are doing! Thanks for your comment.
This is a really informative article. I like the section about Implications for strategy. You definitely point out some really great ideas. Also, One of my digital marketing clients offers project management services. I will share this with him because I am sure he can use some of these strategies for his business. Thanks
Thumbs up! Thanks for passing this on.
This Automattic Creed is like a guiding light for strategic and project management. It’s refreshing to see a company not just stating their mission but breaking it down into actionable principles.
The emphasis on continuous learning is a game-changer. In the dynamic world we live in, acknowledging that there’s no status quo and being open to change is a strategic advantage.
I think the Automattic Creed is not just a set of values on paper; it’s a living philosophy that can inspire not only Automatticians but anyone in the business world looking to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Thanks for your comment. You made me think – wouldn’t it be interesting to observe how the Creed is really working in practice?
This Automatic Creed thing sounds cool! It’s like a life philosophy, especially the part about never being finished and always learning. Coz life’s about constant growth. The agile solution for businesses sounds smart too. The idea of a creed bringing a spiritual vibe to their mission is unique and interesting. Your explanation helped me understand it better, and I find it inspiring. It’s true, we can’t stop learning, especially with technology always changing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks – glad you also found it so intriguing!
These are such great points you are making ! I’m work for a small start up and at times it feels like we are just to young, not having enough guidance to create the best atmosphere in our company. Now after reading your post I feel like I have a lot of new great thoughts to bring to our next gathering! Thank you so much !
That’s wonderful! Good luck, and feel free to let me know how it goes and reach out if you’d like to connect on anything!
This blog offers a critical examination of the Automatic Creed and its effects on project management and company strategy. It dissects each credo component and demonstrates how its tenets might affect different facets of a business’ strategy.
The most important lesson is that long-term success and sustainable value can only be achieved by coordinating business culture, values, and strategy. For anyone seeking to take a more flexible, client-centered, and moral approach to business, this blog is a great resource.
This blog offers a critical examination of the Automatic Creed and its effects on project management and company strategy. It dissects each credo component and demonstrates how its tenets might affect different facets of a business’ strategy.
The most important lesson is that long-term success and sustainable value can only be achieved by coordinating business culture, values, and strategy. For anyone seeking to take a more flexible, client-centered, and moral approach to business, this blog is a great resource.
Great comment! I agree, culture, strategy, and values need to be in sync. And add operations to that!
I have not heard about the Automattic Creed before, so found this post very interesting. Your explanation me to understand the concept much better.
With software technology evolving and changing on a regular basis, it often feels to me as if I cannot stay up to date quickly enough. But advancement is progress and helps us to continuously be learning.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Automattic Creed.
Thank you for your comment! I’m glad you found it interesting.
Great article! You taught me about something I have never heard of before, the Automaticc Creed. Your post is full of values and insight. Learning is never done, passion must be carried throughout business because it helps it shine naturally, Being more motivated by impact than money is a big one. If your passion and desire to be impactful shines through, the money will flow in naturally. Great read!
Thanks for the comment, Christina! Glad you got something from the post!