1. 10Xers John Beddingfield Scott Bearden Patrick Lewis Lauren Frick
Trevor McDonald

2. Relative to the stock market and the industry
10X companies
An enterprise that sustained outstanding growth for an era of 15+ years
Relative to the stock market and the industry
Achieved results in particularly turbulent environment
Enterprises started era of growth in a vulnerable state; either young or small
Amgen
Biomet
Intel
Southwest Airlines
Stryker
Microsoft
Progressive Insurance

3. Race to the south pole roald amundsen vs. robert falcon scott
Biked nearly 2000 miles from Norway to Spain
Ate raw dolphin meat
Traveled to apprentice with Eskimos
Systematically built enormous buffers for unseen events
Robert Falcon Scott
Less preparation than Amundsen
Disregarded training before the race, underestimated the harsh conditions he would face
Ran everything dangerously close to calculations
Supplies
1 Thermometer (that broke)
Eskimo teachings: dog sledding, moving slowly to avoid excessive sweat, and what clothing to wear
“You don’t wait till you’re in an unexpected storm to discover that you need more strength and endurance.” Amundsen

4. Triad of core behaviors

5. Fanatic discipline Peter Lewis CEO of Progressive Insurance
Stock price was fluctuating radically
Became first SEC-listed company to publish monthly financial statements
Fixed the problem of random moving of stock price
“They didn’t let external pressures, or even social norms, knock them off course” (C 23)

6. Empirical creativity Andy Grove CEO of Intel
Blood tests revealed sugar-cube sized tumor in his prostate
Maintained CEO schedule by day and prostate research regiment by night
Multiple options for treatment
Empirical: “relying upon direct observation, conducting practical experiments, and/or engaging directly with evidence rather than relying upon opinion, conventional wisdom, authority, or untested ideas” (C 26)
“having an empirical foundation enables 10Xers to make bold, creative moves, and bound their risk” (C26)
“Andy Grove’s approach to his cancer treatment was unusual, even creative, yet deeply grounded in evidence and rigor” (C 26)

7. Productive Paranoia Bill Gates Founder and CEO of Microsoft
“nightmare memo”
Sent memo to employees about everything that could go wrong with Microsoft
Always lived in fear, always felt vulnerable
“Even in calm, clear, positive conditions, 10Xers constantly consider the possibility that events could turn against them at any moment…at some unpredictable point in time, at some highly inconvenient moment. And they better be prepared.” (C 29)

8. Level 5 ambition What are you in it for?
10Xer’s ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the company, for the work, not for themselves. (C32)

9. Takeaways
“You prepare with intensity, all of the time, so that when conditions turn against you, you can draw from a deep reservoir of strength. And equally, you prepare so that when conditions turn in your favor you can strike hard.” (C 15)
Fanatic Discipline
Extreme consistency
Empirical Creativity
Make own bold creative moves
Productive Paranoia
Channel fear and worry into action