If you have ever looked at a process and thought, “This makes no sense, but I guess we are doing it anyway,” you are already halfway to First Principles Thinking.
First principles thinking is a problem-solving approach that breaks things down to their most fundamental truths, then rebuilds solutions from the ground up.
Instead of asking, “What is the best version of how this is usually done?” you ask, “What are the basic truths here, and how would I design this from scratch if I did not know any of the norms?”
The idea dates back to Aristotle’s Metaphysics and has been used by innovators like Elon Musk to build SpaceX rockets at a fraction of the usual cost. You do not need to launch anything into orbit, but you can use the same mental model to redesign processes in your executive’s world.
Most people solve problems by making slightly better versions of what already exists. You will hear things like:
“That’s how the last EA did it.”
“My old boss liked a daily check-in.”
“We’ve always had this meeting.”
That is conventional thinking. It is reactive and often leads to bloated systems no one questions.
First principles thinking flips that. It asks:
What problem are we actually trying to solve?
If I started from zero, how would I design this?
It is not about rebelling for the sake of it. It is about being intentional and creating solutions that actually work.
Imagine your CEO has five recurring 1:1 meetings every Thursday with direct reports. There are no agendas, no prep, just vague updates. What started as “staying aligned” has turned into two and a half hours of low-value conversation.
A conventional EA would simply protect that time. A first principles EA would step back and ask:
What is the real purpose of these meetings...visibility, issue escalation, trust-building?
Do they need to happen live? Weekly? One-on-one?
You might rebuild the system entirely:
A shared weekly update document where each leader lists three priorities, one blocker, one win, and one ask.
One 30-minute “Leadership Pulse” call on Mondays for alignment.
Protecting Thursday as CEO Focus Time for deep work.
The result? Less wasted time, better insight, and a happier, more productive executive.
First principles thinking is not about making small tweaks. It is about questioning the premise entirely and building something better from scratch. It allows you to create smarter systems, eliminate waste, and position yourself as a truly strategic partner.
When you ask “Why are we doing this at all?” you open the door to solutions that save hours, improve morale, and drive results.