Survive and Thrive

Survive and Thrive presents two extremes, between which entities (components, individuals, or collectives) can be placed at a given point in time. Understanding where one sits on this spectrum can help direct prioritisation and decision making, and provide context on how one should operate.

Survive

The primary goal is survival. Remove or reduce all elements which do not contribute directly to survival. Identify clear metrics relevant to short term survival, and optimise for them. Take short cuts, reduce overheads, and maintain a low risk tolerance.

Thrive

Be the best version of yourself. Optimise for long term over short term. Encourage interpersonal trust, experimentation, and innovation. Increase your risk tolerance.

— ML