5 Lessons From Entrepreneurship That Have Nothing To Do With Money
Originally published at BostInnovation.com
Message is Everything
I grew up thinking it was the merit of the work that was important. How that work was communicated and made visible was significant, but nothing mattered as much as the nature of the work itself. Anyone who knows anything about marketing or PR can tell you why this is problematic.
The work we do as individuals or organizations means little if people can’t clearly understand what the work is. As innovators, we have the tricky job then of running with new ideas while presenting them to others in recognizable, relatable language. Otherwise people can’t connect and our good idea can easily get lost in the shuffle. Good ideas aren’t enough. Every good idea needs a compelling message.
It’s Going to be Messy
Entrepreneurship effectively crushed the perfectionist in me. Any kind of regular creative work tends to destroy one’s hope of reaching perfection. But more than this, entrepreneurship gives us the opportunity to learn that that ideal state doesn’t really exist anyway. If you’re paying any attention all, you’ll see that it keeps changing.
Had I remained a perfectionist in the early stages of my startup, I never would have gotten anything done. You have to take that first shaky step into creating something new and let it be shaky. It’s kind of like cooking. If it’s truly new and exciting, it’s going to be messy at first. Get used to it and try to clean things up as you go.
Co-Leadership is Wicked Smart
American culture is highly individualistic. We focus on individual goals and achievements. We run on treadmills alone, work in coffee shops on laptops alone. We forget how enjoyable and effective it is to work in partnership with others. Given how chaotic startup life can be, co-leadership makes sense. My co-founder and I take lead on those things that come naturally to each of us. When one of us needs a break or gets pulled in another direction for a week or two, we pass the ball. We’re in communication with each other daily and trust each other to make important decisions without the other person’s approval when need be.
If you’ve got a great idea or are struggling to advance a good idea on your own, think about finding yourself a co-founder. When you begin working together, give as much care and attention to that working relationship as you do your organizational strategy.
People Want to be Asked for Help
Ok, not everybody. But many folks want to be asked for help because they very much want to contribute what they have to give. Most startups need help in order to achieve their goals. The trouble is that asking for help isn’t easy, even if it’s not financial help we’re looking for.
While it may feel uncomfortable at first, wherever you are in the startup process, ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED. Think carefully about where you ask for help, but clue people in to how they can get involved. Entrepreneurs and their startups give people a chance to be a part of something. If your startup has potential, if you’ve done your homework and are respectful in your approach, you’ll be surprised at how many people come out of the woodwork to help you.
Don’t Recreate The Rat Race
Many of us start companies because we know we have a good idea and whatever we’re trying to build really just needs to be built one way or another. Others of us lead startups because we have a good idea, yes, but we also want to enjoy a different kind of work/life balance. We want a greater sense of ownership and more flexibility; we want to look forward to getting up and going to work in the morning.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to recreate the very rat race we left in some cases. If we aren’t careful, it’s in our nature to do so. Keep this in mind if and when you find yourself feeling overly stressed, tired, or grumpy in your startup life. What did you plan on being different? How can you create a more balanced, joyful work environment or schedule?
