Finding Purpose in Tunneling Through Granite

Marcus Ryu

The article I selected is “Finding Purpose in Tunneling Through Granite” by Adam Bryant

The interview was on Marcus Ryu, the CEO of Guidewire Software, and a maker of software for the insurance industry. I chose this article due to the problem solving view points of the CEO Ryu. Ryu states that right after the tech crash and right after 9/11, it was a very contrarian time to start a company, so one of Ryu earliest principles was that they have to embrace adversity and difficulty. As CEO, Ryu seemed to have confidence in what’s needed to be done and how it should be done regarding building the software company for the insurance industry during difficult times. Although the article doesn’t state employee perspective, it does show how Ryu problem solves and some of the steps Ryu chose to maintain a stable and profitable business.

Ryu seemed to understand that the company faced the problem of not flourishing and realized that he needed to take action. Ryu states that we won’t be rewarded just for being insightful. We’re going to be rewarded for solving a difficult problem. And if it’s not difficult, it means that we’re not actually doing the right thing. I believe that Ryu was insightful regarding the difficult task the organization faced in terms of technology and motivation. Ryu view was to hold people accountable for their decisions because it is an important motivator to for improved performance.

Although I believe that Ryu is confident, motivating and means well, I do also believe that Ryu view regarding rationalizing prohibits the organization from being creative. It is a little too rigid. Ryu states that, we wanted to create an enduring business with a very strong set of values; such as, integrity, rationality and collegiality”. He goes on to state; rationality, which is to make decisions based on facts and logic seems so simple but organizations