Not Quite Hammurabi's
Breaking this tenet might follow you home, with lights, sirens, and free room and board included.
What is Obeying the Law?
The guy with a hot pink mohawk is probably an example of this profile, highlighted by a focus on talking with others, and being the center of attention.
What is Expressive?
The morning merch manager calling a group huddle to figure out how they can all work together to handle a last-minute reset, is an example of this type of communication structure.
Collaborative
You newly hired baker seeking you out for advice, because they do not know what a croissant is, is most definitely an example of this type of competence.
Consciously Incompetent
As of June 30th, 2025, the warehouse opens at this time for Executive members.
What is 9:00am?
Though the sale may have expired yesterday, the sign was still up when they put it in their cart, honoring the sign's price is an example of this core principle.
What is Taking Care of our Members?
People with this leadership style are often the most reliable for making quick, dominant decisions, though may struggle with asking for help.
What is Bold?
Mary Kate's manager approaches her and informs her that her goal for the day is to upgrade every gold star member who comes to membership between noon and closing. While this goal meets some of the characteristics, it is missing this key element to being a SMART goal.
What is Achievable?
Your cashier on the front end who comfortably hits sixty members per hour seemingly without even trying, is probably an example of this type of Competence.
What is Unconscious Competence?
While we can't claim that this type of membership will literally pay for itself, we can guarantee that you'll earn 2%.
What is an Executive Membership?
Ensuring that all product that is leaving the building was in the correct location, accurately priced, and most importantly, actually paid for, is an example of this principal.
Like an anchor, this personality profile has a tendency to stay grounded during chaos and do exactly what is expected of it, but may struggle with changes to the overall status quo.
What is Sympathetic?
Your manager pulling you and three other front end supervisors aside to dictate the new benchmarks is an example of this type of communication structure.
What is a Top-Down communication structure?
Your newest cashier insists that he doesn't need any assistance, stating that he simply enters a "flow state" when behind the register. Considering his name is the most frequent on the Door Audit report, your newest cashier is an example of this level of competence.
What is Unconsciously Incompetent?
Assuming you're in the United States, this is the only credit card accepted at a physical Costco.
What is Visa?
This class is an example of this.
What is Taking Care of Employees?
Measure twice and cut once is probably the adage most associated with this personality profile.
What is Technical?
Ashley's new seasonal employee gets along with everyone, but is missing a few key components to keep after the season ends, she's put off their thirty day review in hopes that they'd improve, but so far they haven't. Ashley has failed to do what?
What is Communicate?
Dan, a new employee in your building, just recently passed his Forklift Certification, often repeating what his instructor taught him as he works, knowing nothing else about Dan, we can assume that he is this level of competence.
Consciously Competent
Be it a dog, or a miniature horse, this type of animal is allowed into Costco, with only two questions asked.
What is a service animal?
By following the four principals, we ultimately succeed in this final principal.
What is "Reward our Shareholders"?
This is the ideal personality profile present in any work environment.
What is, all of 'em?
This is our most powerful tool when communicating with others, regardless of whether or not you share a shoe size.
What is Empathy?
Regardless of what level of competency you believe you are, a Costco employee should always be seeking ways to do what?
What is Improve?
Suggesting to raise the price of this, provoked the Costco Co-Founder Jim Singeal into threatening the life of the then CEO.
What is the Costco Hot-Dog?