Lotus Operating Principles

"Communicate openly, honestly and directly" -- Lotus Operating Principles

These eleven principles were in place at Lotus Development Corporation when I started there in 1997. They were actively used until c.2004, when they were supplanted by a set of operating principles from IBM that included the infamous phrase, "We have fun when we win."

My understanding is that they were crafted in collaborative fashion by early Lotus employees to bottle the spirit of the business to the fullest possible extent. I was sad to see no hits for a Google search on "lotus operating principles" "have fun," so I decided to post them here for others to benefit from their inherent wisdom.

I strive to embody these principles in all of my business dealings. For me, this remains a living document. It still hangs on the wall in my home office.

These

operating principles are

intended to serve as

guidelines for our

interactions with other

employees, customers and

business partners.

Their purpose is to foster

and preserve the spirit

of our enterprise

and to promote the

well-being of all

concerned.

LOTUS
OPERATING
PRINCIPLES

Commit to excellence
Treat people fairly; value diversity
Insist on integrity
Communicate openly,
honestly and directly
Listen with an open mind;
learn from everything
Take responsibility; lead by
example
Respect, trust, and encourage others
Encourage risk-taking and innovation
Establish purpose before action
Work as a team
Have fun

Tom Guyette
5036 Echo Street Apt. 16
Los Angeles, CA 90042

1-Tom-Guyette (toll-free)
323-550-8963 (home)
guyette@alum.wpi.edu