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If the Shoe Fits: the Value of Dissent

by Miki Saxon

A Friday series exploring Startups and the people who make them go. Read all If the Shoe Fits posts here

5726760809_bf0bf0f558_mLast Friday I cited research from Northwestern and advice from John O’Farrell of Andreessen Horowitz on the dangers of flattery and importance of not hiring ‘yes-people’.

I received a couple of emails arguing that it was important in a startup that everyone in a startup was on board with the founder’s vision. Boat-rockers were not welcome; 100% agreement was needed to support the level of commitment required to succeed and without it the company was likely to founder if not fail outright.

Perhaps these folks will listen to Steve Blank.

“Countries that stifle dissent while attempting to encourage entrepreneurship will end up at a competitive disadvantage. (…) Because without dissent there is no creativity.

Companies are small countries.

Whether it’s Google or the newest startup on the block, each has its own peculiar culture, mores and MAP.

Its own laws, spoken or not, and law enforcement; its own ways of keeping its citizens in line.

It’s your responsibility as founder to encourage dissent—especially when it’s dissenting from you.

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Flickr image credit: HikingArtist

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