Happy Friday everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life and business.
Today we have on the show Bill Campbell.
“Solve the Biggest Problem first”
What a simple yet powerful principle.
Bill Campbell was a business executive and coach who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley. He was known for his ability to mentor and guide the leaders of some of the most successful tech companies in the world, including Apple, Google, and Intuit.
In the book, “Trillion Dollar Coach”, authors Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle, state that “without a doubt, Bill Campbell was one of the people most integral to Google’s success. Without him, the company would not be where it was today.” Campbell was a coach, mentor, and friend to Steve Jobs spending many Sunday afternoons walking and talking. He coached many others including Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, John Hennessy, former President of Stanford University, and Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Campbell coached people to coach teams. “The best coach for any team is the manager who leads that team. Being a good coach is essential to being a good manager and leader. Coaching is no longer a specialty; you cannot be a good manager without being a good coach.”
One of Campbell's famous pieces of advice was to "solve the biggest problem." By this, he meant that it is important to focus on the most pressing and significant issues facing your organization, rather than getting bogged down in smaller problems or distractions.
Identify the biggest problem, the “elephant in the room,” bring it front and center, and tackle it first.
According to Campbell, this approach helps to prioritize your efforts and ensure that you are making the most impact. It also helps to create a sense of focus and alignment within the organization, as everyone is working towards the same goals.
Campbell's advice to solve the biggest problem is applicable to any situation, whether you are leading a team or working on a personal project. By identifying and addressing the most important issues, you can make progress and achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively.
That concludes it for this Friday.
Remember: “Solve the Biggest Problem first”
Have a great weekend.