Previously in our Taking The Scary Out of Startup series, we discussed “Why Startups Succeed.” Today’s topic is of particular interest because it is a bit of a misconception that all you need is passion. I believe it was Mark Cuban who talked about this requirement at an event in Washington, DC. He does not invest in passion but rather the persistence or ability to get things done.
Leader = vision + passion + unending drive
It’s great to be a visionary and to have passion, but that will not get you over the line. You need to have drive and get things done. And that does not mean to toss things together and call it a day but rather to have the right balance of attention to detail and knowing when to call it.
As a kid, my Dad always had Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” in the tape deck when we were driving (visit Wikipedia to see what I am talking about; remember, we’re a seasoned team!). Often when I am struggling with a problem, I have the song’s line “know when to hold them, know when to fold them†going through my head.
You set the tone and pace. It’s that simple. So if you have a day where you are not feeling that drive, suck it up and push on because your team needs you to be unwavering and determined. This is not be confused with perfect because that is not a startup goal at all. Get stuff done and give credit where credit is due.