Mention entrepreneur and people think of the smart innovator, but there is a dark side to this image. This podcast episode shows some of the psychological traps waiting out there and how to stay in the light.
I recently ordered a book that I can’t wait to get my hands on. The book is Linda Rottenberg’s “Crazy is a Compliment: The Power of Zigging When Everyone Else Zags” and I’m excited because someone finally acknowledged that there is a psychology to being an entrepreneur. That creating the next big thing requires you to go beyond what the crowd views as not only impossible but frankly a little crazy.
A cultural myth has developed around the entrepreneur as hero, the 21st century Samurai with total focus, razor sharp instincts, and will of steel. When the truth is: long hours, constant stress, and the nonstop flow of possibly project ending decisions take an 
emotional toll on even the most creative idea generators. What surprised me was that someone finally acknowledged there are psychological spokes in the wheel of attempting to create a product and bring it to market; let alone that there is a psychological price to be paid when going against the tide to promote your vision.
The episode highlights portions of the book and why the so called outliers need support because they at times can see a need the we don’t currently know exists, and that it is lonely and at time pretty scary to try to go against excepted wisdom. In other words every Steve Jobs needs a Wozniak who helps resist the naysayers to push forward and do the impossible.
Rottenberg makes the point everyone must be willing to innovate or expect to be left behind. She also believes entrepreneurs are not only born but can be developed and in order to stay ahead of the game we all need to be more entrepreneurial because technology is changing the business and employment landscape. That the people with some of these amazingly crazy ideas need to be supported, and not just financially because the greatest hurdle is the psychological… the loneliness of the long distance runner.
The people who seemed so far out there have turned out to be the great innovators and listening to the episode will help you understand how this happened. I know it did for me, and if I can learn a little more or get confirmation that I’m moving in the right direction with my coaching clients is why I like this book.
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