NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks at a press conference (Photo by Sam Yeh / AFP)
This week I posted on LinkedIn on an often overlooked topic in entrepreneurship: the loneliness that comes with leadership.
This post sparked some interesting discussions. Many CEOs have reached out to me and told me that they also feel alone and struggle to show that they are human.
But if it’s so difficult, why do people choose to do it?
Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, said it perfectly in a recent interview. He said that if he had known how difficult it would be to start Nvidia, he might have ignored it altogether. But it’s that same “I don’t know what I don’t know” vibe that still drives him today to push his business to new heights. Sometimes being a little naive is actually a good thing. This admission highlights a universal truth in the entrepreneurial world: sometimes not knowing is a blessing. It seems that in the entrepreneurial journey, ignorance is bliss.
I believe that loneliness is closely linked to this naivety with which all entrepreneurs start. It’s this naivety that protects us from the brutal truth about how many startups fail, but it also puts us in a bubble. Reaching the top may seem lonely, but remember, it’s filled with people who once saw the world through those same rose-colored glasses and created it.
In the world of entrepreneurship, the journey from an idea to a successful business is fraught with uncertainty and challenges. Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about having a good idea. It is also about navigating a labyrinth strewn with pitfalls, surprises and setbacks.
Building more than ten companies put me at the forefront of the paradoxical role of naivety in entrepreneurship. On the one hand, it acts as a powerful catalyst, pushing individuals to take the leap into the unknown, undeterred by the statistics that are unfavorable to them and the challenges that result from them, which become an incessant wave almost daily . On the other hand, it serves as a protective shield, allowing entrepreneurs to remain optimistic in the face of insurmountable obstacles.
The entrepreneurial journey is often romanticized as an exciting adventure, but in reality it is a grueling marathon, filled with constant uncertainty and challenges. The naivety of entrepreneurs allows them to view this journey through rose-colored glasses, to see opportunities where others see obstacles. This optimistic outlook is crucial because it fosters a unique learning environment in which founders learn on the job, adapting and evolving as they navigate uncharted territories. This hands-on experience cultivates a resilient and resourceful mindset, crucial for long-term success.
Finding the right balance is crucial. While naivety can be a powerful motivator, overconfidence can lead to rash decisions and a lack of awareness can lead to missed opportunities. Over the decade I have learned many things and I continue to learn – rather this is the big lesson: I am still a student and construction projects are my classrooms where I continually learn new things about myself.
I know many CEOs understand the loneliness of leadership. This is a vulnerable area that many do not wish to discuss openly, for fear of being labeled “weak”, when in reality, it is the opposite.
The naivety of entrepreneurs serves as both a spark and a shield, propelling individuals forward while protecting them from daunting realities. Jensen Huang’s story is a powerful reminder of the role ignorance plays in the entrepreneurial journey.