Objectivism versus Compliancy

Interning at only a couple organizations, I assumed compliancy and conformity were valued and expected virtues at every corporation. However in Ray Dalio’s book Principles, he offers a vastly different philosophy that is instituted in his company. Dalio’s company Bridgewater Associates is an investment management firm that has became a mammoth in its field, which Dalio attributes to his unique structure within his organization. Dalio is indeed unorthodox in his management style, he requires all his employees to read his book and explicitly states he welcomes his employees to question and oppose his views. This fascinating philosophy is reminiscent of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of objectivism found in her bestselling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrug. Objectivism encourages its readers to question the ‘norm’ and think independently rather than follow. Both Dalio and Rand’s books have become highly controversial because of this, and though it sounds good on paper, is seldom encouraged in the workplace. Notwithstanding numerous billionaires such as Dalio and Mark Cuban swear by Rand’s philosophy and have used it to amass enormous power and success. This unique way of thinking is often condemned by corporate executives though it has paid dividends for numerous individuals who question the ‘norm’.