As far as I can tell, even the best in the biz haven't the slightest idea of what drives the startup's success. Plenty of startups with superb core values fail, and plenty of startups with no discernible core values succeed. The truth is, nobody knows. Just because it sounds nice, doesn't make it so.
Another entry in the growing 'startups as self-help' file.<p>These values statements are a form of self-expression similar to putting bumper stickers on one's car, and have about as much to do with the success of the business as bumper stickers have with the correct operation of the vehicle.
There's a fundamental difference between living your core values and telling them to the world.<p>Living them demonstrates unmistakenly and predictably who are really are.<p>Telling them is no different from all those bullshit mission statements on bulletin boards ignored by millions.<p>Wikipedia defines "mensch" as "a person of integrity and honor" and "someone to admire and emulate, someone of noble character". By its very definition, you cannot call yourself (or your company) a mensch.<p>Once you start living your core values, you won't need to advertise them. Plenty of others will do that for you.
I guess I shouldn't bother applying.
I am unreasonable, freeze in the face of fear, lie pathologically, hate leverage (seriously though, when did corporatespeak become a value?), and favor hotness over chillness.