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I don't disagree. I guess the bigger point that I am trying to make is that entrepreneur has two sets of responsibilities, one to self and one to others. As a

I don't disagree. I guess the bigger point that I am trying to make is that entrepreneur has two sets of responsibilities, one to self and one to others. As an individual, I am obviously not motivated solely by money. Money is important but it is not the most important. I got up at 6:00 am this morning (as in most mornings) wanting to make a positive contribution to the World. But that's a private thing. And if we don't have this level of aspiration, we couldn't be an entrepreneur and no one else would buy into our vision. But an entrepreneur has a public responsibility as well and that was what I was trying to emphasize in the article. I am guilty for over-stating the point but I think it is an important point for most first-time entrepreneurs. Thanks for the comment.

juzmcmuz 19y ago
Yeah, I do get your point. Of course I'd argue that you've over-stated your 'entrepreneurs have a public responsibility' clarification. They do, a little, but it's obviously at the extreme other end of the scale to, say, working for a public company.
- dennykmiu 19y ago
  No, not at all. Not to public, just responsibility to the team. In my chapter on recovering from failures, I use the analogy of learning how to ride a bike. http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/riding-a-bike.html http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/riding-a-bike.html And one lesson that I have learned is that we tend to over-compensate (we fell on the right, therefore we now lean on the left). So you criticism is valid here in that I am clearly overstating because I am overcompensating ... again, guilty as charged. On the other hand, there is another analogy here which is that of orthodontics ... braces would be an overstatement too if we start with perfect teeth. So the question really has to do with the intended audience. Are first-time entrepreneurs such blank sheets of paper that after reading my article, they will deviate from the path and start to focus on making money instead of making meaning? Or are first-time entrepreneurs such enthusiasts that they are already focusing on changing the World, but after reading the article, they realize that in order to make meaning, they have a responsibility to keep the team together which means that they also have a responsibility to make money. And since everyone else is already focusing on making meaning, is it reasonable that entrepreneurs have to overcompensate and put a priority on making money? Thanks for your comment and another opportunity to have a discussion.

juzmcmuz 19y ago

Yeah, I do get your point. Of course I'd argue that you've over-stated your 'entrepreneurs have a public responsibility' clarification. They do, a little, but it's obviously at the extreme other end of the scale to, say, working for a public company.

dennykmiu 19y ago
No, not at all. Not to public, just responsibility to the team. In my chapter on recovering from failures, I use the analogy of learning how to ride a bike. http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/riding-a-bike.html http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/riding-a-bike.html And one lesson that I have learned is that we tend to over-compensate (we fell on the right, therefore we now lean on the left). So you criticism is valid here in that I am clearly overstating because I am overcompensating ... again, guilty as charged. On the other hand, there is another analogy here which is that of orthodontics ... braces would be an overstatement too if we start with perfect teeth. So the question really has to do with the intended audience. Are first-time entrepreneurs such blank sheets of paper that after reading my article, they will deviate from the path and start to focus on making money instead of making meaning? Or are first-time entrepreneurs such enthusiasts that they are already focusing on changing the World, but after reading the article, they realize that in order to make meaning, they have a responsibility to keep the team together which means that they also have a responsibility to make money. And since everyone else is already focusing on making meaning, is it reasonable that entrepreneurs have to overcompensate and put a priority on making money? Thanks for your comment and another opportunity to have a discussion.