No Jagoff Policy

In an old Harvard Business Review Article, Competent Jerks, Lovable Fools, and the Formation of Social Networks, the authors discuss the cognitive biases most people develop at work. The authors point out that likability and competence, two major factors in forming work relationships, yield four archetypes: Competent Jerks, Lovable Fools, Lovable Stars, and Incompetent Jerks. 

Of these archetypes, obviously we would all choose to work with Lovable Stars – both smart and likable.  Unfortunately, this is generally not the case and we’re forced to go along with (in)competent jerks and fools. At Localize, we only work with the Lovable Stars. 

In other words, no Jagoffs.

We believe in the future of Pittsburgh, and are excited by the many big picture trends putting wind in Pittsburgh’s sails. We see opportunity for a few great people to form mutually beneficial business relationships to build and maintain legacies in the region. Economics and business should not be a zero sum game. We are a community of people who believe in empowering ourselves by empowering others.

Here at Localize, we recognize that the community we are creating is not only a complex system, where multiple independent moving parts must be functioning to work, but it is a complex adaptive system, where multiple complex systems interact with each other and each is adaptable and influence each other.

This is an important distinction, because understanding each party in a complex adaptive system does not ensure your ability to understand how the system should function or operate. Setting high standards and sticking to your guns is the cornerstone of creating a business that leaves all of the stakeholders better off.

We strive to set an example of how business is supposed to be done: Each Localize Capital stakeholder must have a voracious commitment to value creation over value extraction, resulting in sustainability and longevity in our effort to facilitate and capitalize on growing prosperity in the region. Competent Jerks, Lovable Fools, Incompetent Jerks, and all other Jagoffs need not apply.