One of the reasons I like working with founders is that their drives, their desires, are very similar to my own.
To do something that is important.
To have an impact.
To be true to their values and vision rather than someone else’s.
To make the world a better place.
To provide generously for themselves and others in the process.
But our society, our culture, both glamorizes and ruthlessly punishes founders.
“I don’t want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers,” John D. Rockefeller famously said while he was helping to create our public education system.
Founders are thinkers. The people who see the need for something different and then commit to creating it.
Founders are the people who instinctively question reality rather than comply with it.
Founders must constantly commit to their vision while everyone around them challenges them, telling them it isn’t practical, it will never work, they need a backup plan.
Founders must lead rather than follow.
Founders make horrible employees. They question everything.
Being a founder is not for the faint of heart. It will tempt you and then test you. You will learn more about yourself in the process than you ever wanted to.
But if it is in your blood, nothing else will satisfy you.
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