When you try new or different things, you’ll always have people asking you some version of “Why would you do that?” Why start a company? Why volunteer? Why put your reputation on the line? Why make that investment? Why risk it?
My answer to this is always the same: “Why not?”
Only if you HAVE to be an entrepreneur. Starting a company and growing it takes years of dedicate, patience, commitment, passion, and energy. It will take everything you have and then some. If it isn’t your mission in life to be successful, you won’t be and you shouldn’t even start. There’s nothing wrong with not wanting to be an entrepreneur. As glamourous as it may seem, it’s so difficult with incredible highs… and lows. Most entrepreneurs–even the most successful ones–will tell you that had they known how hard it would be they probably would not do it again.
Always take measures to protect the downside. This applies to all areas of your life, and has been most relevant to me with my startups.
Entrepreneurs are typically portrayed as reckless risk takers… the fact is entrepreneurs are some of the best people at taking calculated risk while protecting their downside. The best entrepreneurs don’t dive headfirst without looking… they prepare for multiple scenarios and get creative in ways to protect the downside of what they are doing. You can do this with financial investments,
Said another way: Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
I didn’t realize this when I was growing up, but my dad was also an entrepreneur. He ran a small company that he and his business partner built over 18 years. My dad had a plaque on his desk that said, “LEAD FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY”.
Perhaps I absorbed this through osmosis as I grew up, but I am a get s#it done (GSD) kind of guy. I have a strong drive to be productive and I am happiest when I feel that I am accomplishing something or working my way towards goals. To GSD on a team, you MUST lead follow or get out of the way.
LEAD: If no one is taking charge and something needs to happen, you have to step up and take the lead. You will find yourself more often than not in the leadership role because most people do not have a natural tendency to lead.
FOLLOW: If someone is taking charge and you believe them to be capable and competent, follow. Ask how you can help. Become that person’s enabler and help them lead even better by being the best follower you can be.
GET OUT OF THE WAY: No matter what happens, nothing will slow the team or company down faster than someone who gets in the way. People who get in the way are generally unhelpful or aren’t willing to do the work. They don’t follow up up tasks that are assigned to them. They complain about the direction the team is headed or problems that are being encountered along the way. They drag teams down, and people like this can singlehandedly make a world-class team mediocre. If you have someone on your team who won’t get out of the way, you need to address it and get them onboard or get them off the team.
