Lexicon: Existence Precedes Essence

The Etymology

The most famous phrase in modern philosophy. Coined by Jean-Paul Sartre in his 1946 lecture Existentialism is a Humanism. It reversed 2,000 years of Western thought (Plato/Christianity) which held that Essence (Soul/Design) came before Existence.

The Definition

Sartre uses the example of a Paper Knife. Before a craftsman makes a paper knife, he has the idea in his head. He knows what it is for (to cut paper). For the Paper Knife: Essence precedes Existence. (It has a purpose before it is born).

But if there is no God (as Sartre argued), then there is no "Craftsman" to design humans. We just show up. We pop into existence. We are blank slates. For the Human: Existence precedes Essence. We exist first, and then we define who we are (our Essence) through our actions. You are not "born" a leader; you become a leader by leading.  

The Corporate Application

Most companies operate with Essentialist delusions.

• The Delusion: "We are an 'Innovation Company'!" (This is the Essence written on the wall).
• The Reality: You haven't launched a new product in 5 years. (This is your Existence).

The Enron Test Enron is the ultimate proof of Sartre's maxim.

• The Essence: Enron had the word "Integrity" carved into the marble of their headquarters and listed as a core value in their annual report.  
• The Existence: In reality, they were systematically hiding billions of dollars in debt using off-the-books partnerships to artificially inflate their stock price.  
• Sartre's Verdict: The marble carving was irrelevant. Enron was a fraud, because Enron did fraud.  

The Chief Wise Officer's Rule: Your "Values Statement" is just ink. It is an attempt to define your Essence before you act. Ignore it. Look only at your Existence (your budget, your calendar, your hiring decisions). You are nothing but the sum of your actions.