Startup Founders Need Grit, Not Just Ideas

It can be difficult for entrepreneurs to navigate the often-turbulent waters of building a business. One of the key challenges that many founders face is dealing with bad news and adversity. It’s a fact of life that things rarely go according to plan, and setbacks are all but guaranteed along the way. The question is, can you outwork those obstacles, or will they be your downfall?

It’s essential for startup founders to recalibrate their expectations when it comes to bad news. No matter how good your product, solution, or team is, the reality is that everything will take longer than you think, and things won’t always go as planned. For example, you may have a great product and team, but it may take much longer than anticipated to secure financing, or your co-founder may need to leave the company to pay their bills.

The key is to prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario, and then figure out how to work through it. As I’ve seen with many of the startups I’ve worked with, the ability to persevere through adversity is often more critical than any other trait. The founders who can suffer longer, work harder, and keep fighting despite setbacks are the ones who are most likely to succeed.

Industry luminaries echo this sentiment. For example, as Jeff Bezos famously said, “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” Similarly, Mark Cuban once said, “Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is. Know your business and industry better than anyone else in the world. Love what you do or don’t do it.”

It’s also important to understand that setbacks and adversity are an inherent part of the startup journey. As such, the ability to work through these challenges and keep pushing forward is critical. In fact, I’d argue that grit and perseverance are more important traits than almost any other when it comes to building a successful startup.

So, what can startup founders do to prepare themselves for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead? One key is to continually reassess your expectations and be prepared for the worst possible scenario. This may mean taking a more conservative approach to growth, or being more flexible when it comes to adapting to new challenges. It may also mean being willing to work longer hours, take on more responsibility, and do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

At the end of the day, building a successful startup is never easy. There will always be setbacks and challenges along the way, but it’s the founders who can outwork and outlast those obstacles who are most likely to succeed. As the old saying goes, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.” So, ask yourself, are you willing to keep fighting, keep grinding, and keep pushing forward, no matter what comes your way?