A principal is an owner. An agent is an employee.
The principal's incentives differ from the agent's incentives. The business owner wants what's best for the business and what will make the business successful. The agent wants what will look good to the principal or make them personally the most money.
If you're an employee, your most important task is to think like a principal. Train yourself to think like a principal. Ask "What would the founder do?" If you think like a principal, it's a matter of time until you become that.
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