The Two Mindsets That Can KILL Your Startup

Dalton Caldwell and Michael Seibel discuss the qualities that make a founder overly optimistic or far too pessimistic about their startup. Where is the right middle ground?

00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Stereotypes
03:09 - The Two Leaders
05:45 - Pessimistic mistakes
06:28 - Expectation setting
07:14 - Faulty feedback
08:24 - Demo day goals
09:20 - Energy drain
11:22 - Magical thinking
14:23 - Founder mistakes
16:03 - Product mistakes
17:43 - Magical investors
18:41 - Hiring optimism
19:57 - Doing what's cool
21:46 - Cognitive dissonance

#startups #entrepreneur #tech

[ycombinator]

How do you develop a realistic view of your startup?

[BrendanDell]

Brilliant topic of discussion, it's the yin and yang of both being grounded in the task ahead but believing that your idea and business have a future that is valuable and worthy of your time and energy. Seibel's comment on the purpose of goals not necessarily being to nail the goal but giving you the drive and the valuable lessons it teaches you along the way- couldn't have said it better. Definitely going to be sharing this with my community. Thank you!

[dereklough]

It's so exciting to watch my ego be dismantled in realtime. Thanks for the straight-talk.

[derek-yap]

Yup, I feel like a lot of CEOs I've worked for are afraid of not being optimistic when addressing the company at an all-hands or something. To me that always seemed a little disingenuous. Like we're not kids, we know layoffs aren't good, why are you telling us this is actually a good thing. In fact most employees at tech companies are highly intelligent. Just be real.

[JasonGoodison]

Didn't realize the "100 emails doesnt convert to 100 leads" problem was common. The second you said it I realized I fit solidly into that category

[aaronb]

I like the "cognitive dissonance" part of it. Thanks for enunciating that.

[rossnwilliams]

I have a subwoofer and this video has a lot of bursts of sound around 30Hz to 40Hz. I suggest you add a low-cut filter.

[jimifash]

Cognitive dissonance!
Be rooted in reality!
Priceless gems 👌

[josephekpaha]

Seems you're some kinda startup Knowledge gods. Everything said well enough and perfect 👌

[george_davituri]

quote: ''you need to get in before everyone thinks it's cool'', brilliant advice. great talk

[entertainmentyoutube]

9 of 10 businesses fail so you have to be a little crazy to be an entrepreneur and keep trying after every punch but the reward is so fking good that is worth it

[juanmdq]

Wow! I'm in a stage where this video is just what I needed! Thank u guys!

[randyii]

Love your talks guys. I good “startup compass” is very useful when you feel a bit like you are in a possibility wilderness.

[jaredbeckwith]

Have a right balance of pessimism and optimism!

[catwithacowboyhat]

I love this series! Keep it up please!

[gogemusicimprov]

LOL 1:34 Dalton said Eeyore, but I heard Eol and was impressed he read and referenced silmarillion.

[justingirard]

The wider the psychological range, the more analytical concepts (optimistic and pessimistic) a person can use to frame reality. This is a muscle, and I have a process to enter both states, and it is a critical import toolset

[mahdi]

Insightful as always. Please keep the wonderful serie of conversations

[christopherjskinner]

Results driven systems thinker startup mindset of leadership is what gets you to success.

[alexf]

A pessimistic sees a u-turn at every intersection, an optimistic runs the red light most of the time.