Why We Wrote Leadership Principles at Exit Five

We didn’t “design” our culture on Day 1. We just started working together 24 months ago. Over time, something special formed. Recently, we realized it was time to codify it.

So for the last few weeks, I’ve been trading drafts back and forth with Dave (and sparring with ChatGPT) to write our leadership principles. It took months of rough drafts, then three weeks of rewriting them multiple times a day. Last week we rolled them out to the team, and the response was really strong.

Here’s the result — the principles that will guide how we work, hire, and grow from here.

1. Leadership
Principles

2. Only Leaders Work Here
Leadership isn’t about title or tenure. It’s about behavior.
Leaders act with high agency: they make decisions without
waiting for consensus, take responsibility when things go
wrong, and give feedback openly.
01LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

3. Practice Extreme Ownership
Own your outcomes, good and bad. If you screw up, admit it
and fix it. Don’t blame, don’t deflect, don’t make excuses.
Accountability earns respect and makes the team stronger.
02LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

4. Momentum Creates Clarity
We move fast to learn fast. Shipping work gives us insight
that planning and consensus never will. Momentum isn’t
about cutting corners. It’s about creating feedback that helps
us improve while holding a high bar for quality.
03LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

5. Stay Curious, Keep Improving
Keep learning, asking, and refining. Improving ourselves, our
systems, and our work makes the business stronger. Curiosity
means questioning assumptions instead of accepting “that is
how it has always been done.”
04LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

6. Have a F**king High Bar
We, not me. No egos. No silos. Building a business is a team
sport. Individual success only happens when the rest of the
team is doing their jobs. We do not hire superstars, we hire
people that make the team better.
05LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

7. Win as a Team
We hold ourselves and our work to high standards. Good
enough is not good enough. Whether it is something we
create or something we pay for, we expect excellence.
Momentum matters, but it never excuses sloppy work.
06LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

8. Figure it Out
Obstacles are inevitable. Leaders here don’t get stuck or wait
for perfect conditions, they find a way forward.
Resourcefulness, problem-solving, and persistence matter
more than having all the answers upfront.
07LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

9. Be Clear and Direct
Give the feedback. Ask direct questions. Get to the point
quickly. And when you need to say no, say “no.” Clear, simple
communication builds trust and keeps us moving fast.
08LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

10. Obsess Over the Experience
Think like a customer. Notice the details. If it is clunky,
confusing, or frustrating, we fix it. Every detail matters,
because the details define the experience.
09LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

11. Relationships are Built 1:1
Personal interactions create the deepest impact. Automation
has its place, but trust and community are built through
relationships. Take the call, send the note, surprise a
member. The human connection always wins.
10LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

12. Work to Live
We care deeply about our work and take our mission
seriously. But our work should support our lives, not consume
them. We do great work without losing sight of our loved
ones, our health, or the passions that make life rich.
11LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

13. Want To Join Our Killer Team?
Email us [email protected]