The "Corporate Culture" of The Aasgaard Company | Mark Rippetoe

by Mark Rippetoe

All organizations develop a personality. Corporations, companies, non-profit organizations, restaurants, families, bands, card games – groups of people who associate with each other for any length of time eventually organize a framework for their interactions, and that framework derives from the values and ethics of the majority of the people in the group. And the personalities of the people in the group depend on the nature of the activities engaged in by the group that attracted them.

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Thank you I am proud to be associated with such a "Corporate Culture".

Thanks for the thoughtful and eloquent article Rip. I've never been so compelled to reply to a post here, and I'm proud for this one to be my first. As a very recent adopter of the Starting Strength methodology, I'm starting to fight my own fight, and I'm thrilled to be along for the ride. May Starting Strength continue to grow as outlined. I wish you and everyone in 'The Falls' all deserved success, and I will work hard to put myself position to play a small part in the future. Hear, hear.

This statement on your commitment to Classical Liberalism makes me proud to be associated with Starting Strength. In a time of increasing political polarization and media frenzy, it can be difficult to stay grounded; in fact, most media outlets would have you believe that there are only two positions available - the Far Left and the Alt Right. Classical Liberalism is the missing third option that people need to hear about right now. Believe in the power of the individual. Believe in nuanced perspectives, views that evolve through open debate and criticism. Believe in liberty - and that means getting government out of our lives. And believe in the spirit of this country: if you work hard enough for long enough, you will be successful. It is incredibly refreshing to read your statement and realize that there are many like-minded individuals out there. I think I speak for many when I say I'm scared of these radical mobs trying to destroy the social fabric of our country. Statements like this bring us back to sanity in such a crazy time. Thank you.

Excellent article!

A major challenge today is that the far left (including SJWs) doesn't care what you are unless you enthusiastically support their latest push. I would be many in the "alt right" you seem to dislike (gsouflis) have been pushed their by the radicalism on the other side.

Most people are "go along, get along" but we live in a society that is allowing less and less of that, to the detriment of all. Time to stop claiming equivalence of all sides and making a stand against those trying to control our thoughts.

It is great that this company is under dedicated personal control. That should be a significant help in avoiding the madness of today's leftist crowds.

In the push to open up Starting Strength franchise gyms, I hope coaching quality is not sacrificed and that the SSC credential maintains its pedigree. I also hope this endeavor does not diffuse into Crossfit-like entropy.

This was really refreshing to read.

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Originally Posted by Publius

In the push to open up Starting Strength franchise gyms, I hope coaching quality is not sacrificed and that the SSC credential maintains its pedigree. I also hope this endeavor does not diffuse into Crossfit-like entropy.

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Amazingly enough, we've already thought about that.

In political terms I too am a Classic Liberal though the Left constantly tries to call this position alt right which is in itself an empty title. It is refreshing to learn that the corporate culture is one of reasoned discourse and behavior.

What is the difference between the new Starting Strength franchise gyms and gyms that currently are affiliated with Starting Strength, such as the Woodmere Fitness Club?

Great manifesto!

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Originally Posted by BenK

What is the difference between the new Starting Strength franchise gyms and gyms that currently are affiliated with Starting Strength, such as the Woodmere Fitness Club?

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Starting Strength Affiliated Gyms are existing gyms that have applied to be affiliated with our system. They are owned and operated by the SSC as the coach sees fit. The Starting Strength Gyms are franchise operations, and as such every aspect of their location, operations, appearance, and marketing equipment is controlled by the franchise company. Major article about this tomorrow.

A handful of people work here in The Falls with us, and we all approach our work as “artisans”: we do it for the satisfaction of the task, and absolutely nothing here is done merely for the money.
I thought of Aasgard today when I reread this from Skin in the Gane by my man Nassim Taleb:

“Artisans have their soul in the game. Primo, artisans do things for existential reasons first, financial and commercial ones later, Their decision making is never fully financial, but it remains financial. Seconds, they have some type of “art” in their profession; they stay way from most aspects of industrialization; they combine art and business. Tertio, they put some soul in their work: they would not sell anything defective or even of compromised quality because it hurts their pride. Finally, they have sacred taboos, things they would not do even if markedly increased profitability.”