Entrepreneurship doesn't have to mean being callous – ethical entrepreneurship or leadership is absolutely achievable. However, most top entrepreneurs display psychotic behaviors. They frequently leap over moral and ethical boundaries, intensely focused on their goals, which accelerates their success. While you take into account your team's well-being and the consequences of your actions, these individuals are often way ahead, making significant strides.
As you gain more market share, the competition heats up. Some rivals, echoing your vision, may have an even more relentless (and unethically unforgiving) approach, possibly surpassing you. This kind of intense resolve is common among many politicians and world leaders as well. Interestingly, some groundbreaking ideas might need stubborn, disruptive individuals to upend the status quo. Take Uber, for example. If I had been its founder, it likely would have failed. It required a turd like Travis Kalanick to navigate through deep-seated bureaucracy and mold it into its current form.
However, it's important to remember that while tech companies often claim to be making the world a better place, their absence wouldn't necessarily make our lives worse – perhaps even better in some aspects. Find your vision, and execute it, but the manner in which you do it matters. I've realized you don't have to play the race game and fall into the demanding venture scale pace.
You don't have to be Tesla; you can be Volvo. 🙂
The Big Short