Taavet Hinrikus
Situational Background
Taavet Hinrikus, Wise’s co-founder and early CEO(now investor), is known for radical transparency, mission clarity, and challenger courage. He calls out hidden fees, simplifies pricing, and treats trust as a competitive moat. Hinrikus communicates plainly, chooses focus overhype, and invites scrutiny. Distinctive for principled stubbornness with data to match, his style suits any leader trying to reset a market on fairness and clarity.
Practical Leadership Principles
1) Radical transparency.
Show how things work—and what they cost.
Behaviours to model:
- Publish fees, assumptions, and comparisons.
- Explain trade-offs before outcomes.
- Correct errors in public, fast.
2) Mission that guides “no.”
Purpose is as much about refusal as pursuit.
Behaviours to model:
- Write three “we don’t do” statements.
- Decline misaligned revenue.
- Tie goals to mission, not fashion.
3) Simple, honest communication.
Plain words, frequent updates.
Behaviours to model:
- Replace slogans with one clear promise.
- Keep a public “what changed” log.
- Invite and publish tough questions.
Call to action
List one practice you’ll disclose, one misaligned opportunity you’ll refuse, and one plain-English promise you’ll make—and keep—this month.
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