Perhaps one assumption in this business philosophy is that you have to be really clear to everyone about why they're being given certain liberties and why it's

Perhaps one assumption in this business philosophy is that you have to be really clear to everyone about why they're being given certain liberties and why it's important. The only way I could see people not 'acting like adults' is if they think that by extension certain other things are allowed, which aren't -- by virtue of not being mutually beneficial. DHH and Jason Fried are pretty forceful personalities. It's hard to imagine them not being clear about why they're managing the way they do. Would it ever backfire without clear, forceful personalities guiding it? Refreshing to hear about anyway. Investment in the confidence of employees via trusting them seems like always a good investment. And ditto what other people have said here about the advice being somewhat basic. But on the other hand, the investment strategies of say Warren Buffett are incredibly basic as well. Basic != overvalue