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I don't think you caught quite what I meant. In any seven to ten year period you likely will have a major life event. If you can handle it, then you can probab

by WadeF 13y ago

I don't think you caught quite what I meant. In any seven to ten year period you likely will have a major life event. If you can handle it, then you can probably run a startup. If you can't, then don't. The people you've worked with clearly can handle it.

larrys 13y ago
If I can find the time I could probably come up with a list of questions that I would ask someone that would be a predictor of what they would do in a particular circumstance, that, when taken as a whole would indicate whether they are cut out for "the life". Examples: "Your aunt dies on Thursday, she will be buried on Sunday but you have a major trade show to go to and play an important role that could determine the future of your company. What will you do?" "Your father has a heart attack and is in the hospital. You go to visit him but you have an important sales apointment that afternoon that took months to arrange. What do you do?" (with a bit more detail obviously). "Your best friend from college (who you haven't seen in two years) wants to come and stay at your place for a few weeks because he was kicked out of his apartment and says he has no place to go. You know this will be disruptive and a pain but feel a sense of obligation because he helped you a few times over the years and let you stay at his place." There are no right or wrong answers but the degree of dedication to ones family, existing values, commitments etc are good indicators of whether someone is willing to put their business life first. Which is, in short, what it takes. Not the best example but I'm sure that Steve Jobs wouldn't miss a product launch when his Aunt died. Nor would Brian Williams (NBC) blow off a major story happening which he had to cover because a parent was in the hospital unless they were literally on their deathbed.
- WadeF 13y ago
  Exactly. Steve Jobs and Brian Williams are clearly two people born to do what they do/did. Some people just aren't cut out for that.

by WadeF 13y ago

larrys 13y ago

If I can find the time I could probably come up with a list of questions that I would ask someone that would be a predictor of what they would do in a particular circumstance, that, when taken as a whole would indicate whether they are cut out for "the life". Examples: "Your aunt dies on Thursday, she will be buried on Sunday but you have a major trade show to go to and play an important role that could determine the future of your company. What will you do?" "Your father has a heart attack and is in the hospital. You go to visit him but you have an important sales apointment that afternoon that took months to arrange. What do you do?" (with a bit more detail obviously). "Your best friend from college (who you haven't seen in two years) wants to come and stay at your place for a few weeks because he was kicked out of his apartment and says he has no place to go. You know this will be disruptive and a pain but feel a sense of obligation because he helped you a few times over the years and let you stay at his place." There are no right or wrong answers but the degree of dedication to ones family, existing values, commitments etc are good indicators of whether someone is willing to put their business life first. Which is, in short, what it takes. Not the best example but I'm sure that Steve Jobs wouldn't miss a product launch when his Aunt died. Nor would Brian Williams (NBC) blow off a major story happening which he had to cover because a parent was in the hospital unless they were literally on their deathbed.

WadeF 13y ago
Exactly. Steve Jobs and Brian Williams are clearly two people born to do what they do/did. Some people just aren't cut out for that.