“Two things seemed pretty apparent to me. One was that in order to be a pilot a man had to learn more than any one man ought to learn; and the other was that he must learn it all over again in a different way every 24 hours.” Mark Twain
One of the reasons why many startups fail to cross the chasm is founder’s ability to unlearn and relearn.
UnLearning in Progress
If you have been working in corporate world, you were used to certain ways of conducting business, a certain respect that you commanded in the industry (especially with vendors).
And the moment you step out of your designation, you lose all of the softer perks associated with the designation.
When you start-up, you again have to build the same level of credibility – you were earlier respected as ‘Engineering Manager @ BIG firm’ and now, you need to build credibility as ‘Founder of an unknown company’.
Vendors, who earlier danced at your fingertips, now needs a lot more follow-up (they do not care to answer your phone). While you were respected for all your experience in the industry (for instance as a Business Intelligence guru), one day you find out that you are nobody!
Recently, I met an entrepreneur (a super successful guy in his corporate life), who has been running his venture for the last three years, started with certain hypothesis, failed at few initiatives(actually most) and this is what he said –
It took me a year to unlearn myself and start afresh. All of the relationship building had to start from a different perspective (as CEO). Most importantly, I had to stop thinking of myself as ‘why would some IITian do such a crappy operational job?’. Why would Ex-Director of a BIG firm run after these small vendors?’
My notion of ‘I-know-it-all‘ fell flat, but it took me a while to realize this.
Sometimes it’s one’s ego that prohibits one to unlearn the past. Letting go of the baggage seems to be the most difficult part.
Have you also experienced something similar?
[Article sponsored by Sun Startup Essentials.]
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Very true..When you jump to start-UP you have to unlearn several thing that you learned over a period of.
Couldnt agree more. Have just started recently after working for almost 7 years. Initially thought that i would be able to use my network of colleagues / customers from my last organisation (an MNC Bank), however after starting up, it was amusing to find that most of them didnt show any interest. Some of the old colleagues kept talking about meeting to discuss which again never happened.
Dont blame them though, since they are also too busy with their work and lives.
Have got used to it now and just working on the product to be developed. Only regret is that these are the same people whom i was relying upon for concept validation which i would not be able to do now.
+1
Even I had a similar experience.
Infact, that’s the first shock one gets after starting up – i.e. your friends/colleagues do not remain the same.
Please do write about it in a separate blog post. Would be an interesting read for sure
+1
Generalizing this is not right, however this gives you an opportunity to know your friends in a better way.
People who are not ready to make their hands dirty, entrepreneurship is not for them.
Friends is the wrong word.. Colleagues is the right word to mention.
However, if u work for u, obviously u’ll have to work for u.. and tat keeps u ticking..
in my case, i postponed my new car purchase and now am driving a bike.
When I dream of driving a BENZ its a reality that I might end up in going in public transport IF U START A COMPANY.. we must be ready for that!! and I am ready!
the dream of benz must be in your mind pushing you through this harsh periods.
Good One.
Yet another thing is the people’s reaction…
one: So… another NRN in the making … good luck man… i wish i had your guts.
Another: U think u can become another Ambani? Dream on man.
Family: Only fools will leave such a lucrative job to start business…i know X and that Y and this Z who started and failed.
Then u start wondering whether you are YOU or NRN or Ambani or a Fool
Follow your dream … then things will follow YOU.
Another response has been: why do you want to get into product business. Kamar tut jayegi. Its only for the large players and not for startups
Well said “Sometimes it’s one’s ego that prohibits one to unlearn the past. Letting go of the baggage seems to be the most difficult part.”
Dont know from entrepreneurs PoV but as an IIT Aspirant when you go to Kota(Rajasthan, Inida) and suddenly you realise that you are getting 5% marks in class tests while you got 95% in your 10th board exam, that is the time to let the baggage go away.
It hurts your ego to accept that. Your family doesn’t trust you. and you are called a failure for the first time. IIT dreams vanish and clearing 12th board exams becomes your target.
Its because you never knew what reality was. You never really studied enough about the test patterns and the way JEE worked. You and your parents thought JEE to be a fancy cash machine that would also satisfy social ego. You always lived in that Utopian world where cramming could get you >90%. And you thought when i get 90% in CBSE boards I can always clear JEE. I have to study the same subjects.. Just a little harder.
Analogue:
Cramming to get 90% – MNC Job that gets you handsome salary.
studying Subjects – dealing with Clients, vendors etc.
JEE – Starting up
Clearing JEE – Venture Successful.
Only clearing Board exams – Meeting your physiological needs.
Great post. For your readers who are interested in unlearning, I invite you to visit my site on the topic at http://www.unlearning101.com. I’m confident they’ll find plenty of great content.
Jack Uldrich
You startup is not ur office, its ur home…
do the dusting, clean the bathrooms, clear the shit…
do anything n everything coz its entirely urs
urs to credit n urs to blame