Ray Dalio
Turned his mistakes into an operating manual
Personal Growth
Dalio built Bridgewater into the largest hedge fund in the world after going spectacularly broke in 1982 predicting a depression that never came. He responded by writing down every rule he learned, which became Principles: radical transparency, brutal error-logging, and treating an organisation as a machine you debug.
Excellence is worth it. That's just how life works.
Principled Perspectives: Long Island University Commencement Speech · 2026
Teach your people to fish rather than give them fish.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
By and large, you will get what you deserve over time.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
Most problems are potential improvements screaming at you.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 2: My Most Fundamental Life Principles
Every organization works like a machine to achieve its goals.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: My Management Principles
There is nothing more valuable than meaningful relationships.
Principled Perspectives: Long Island University Commencement Speech · 2026
While logic drives our decisions, feelings are very relevant.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
Do not feel bad about your mistakes or those of others. Love them!
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
Don't worry about looking good - worry about achieving your goals.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
Hold people accountable and appreciate them holding you accountable.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
Prices go up for all sorts of reasons, and they are not all good ones.
Principled Perspectives: Investment Principles: What Should You Do Under Existing Conditions? · 2026
The quality of our lives depends on the quality of the decisions we make.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 2: My Most Fundamental Life Principles
Almost everything good comes from having great people operating in a great culture.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 3: Summary and Table of Principles
The biggest mistake most people make is to not see themselves and others objectively.
Principles by Ray Dalio (2011 free edition), Part 2: My Most Fundamental Life Principles
Knowing what you don't know in order to decide when not to make a bet is as important as knowing what you do know to make a bet.
Principled Perspectives: Investment Principles: What Should You Do Under Existing Conditions? · 2026
Read when you would rather be right next time than defend what you said last time
