First, do no harm
When taking action with potential to cause damage
What Does “First, do no harm” Mean?
Before trying to improve situations, ensure you don't make things worse. The idea is traditionally linked to Hippocratic medicine (the Hippocratic text Epidemics advises physicians 'to help, or at least to do no harm'), although the exact phrase 'first, do no harm' (primum non nocere) does not appear in the Hippocratic Oath. Sometimes the best action is careful inaction.
What Happens When You Break It
Ignoring this leads to iatrogenic harm (intervention-caused damage), cascading failures, loss of trust, making bad situations worse, and damage that outweighs any potential benefit.
Benefits of Following This Rule
Prioritizing 'do no harm' prevents catastrophic mistakes, builds trust, ensures careful analysis, avoids making bad situations worse, and creates foundation for positive impact.