I think humility is even more important in a startup than a big co, since being a stubborn arrogant fool doesn't help you respond to reality. While I'd agree w

I think humility is even more important in a startup than a big co, since being a stubborn arrogant fool doesn't help you respond to reality. While I'd agree with your logic on its own, the reality of (east coast) startups does not seem to match, at least based on the articles and accounts we most often see here. Humility, a very valuable trait, seems almost totally absent -- unless the bulk of those doing the actual work are so humble as to cower under their viciously self-promoting cofounders. Which I suppose is entirely possible.