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Vishu Bheda
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Medial • 4m
The founders of Stripe and Pinterest on how to convince people to join your startup when most fail Startups thrive on uncertainty. As Stripe’s CEO, Patrick Collison, explains, the journey of a startup is exciting because success is never guaranteed. If the outcome were certain, it would be boring. Unlike large companies like Google, where your impact may feel small, startups offer a unique chance to make a meaningful difference. Pinterest founder Ben Silbermann echoes this. He says no smart person believes a startup is a sure thing. Instead, people join because they see potential, even with the risks involved. Leaders shouldn’t hide the challenges—doing so is a mistake. Instead, share the vision, highlight the obstacles, and show them why their role is critical to overcoming those hurdles. Take PayPal’s early days as an example. Founders Peter Thiel and Max Levchin told interviewees upfront about the risks: competitors like Visa wanted to crush them, and they weren’t even sure their business was 100% legal. But they also promised that success would mean revolutionizing payments—and they delivered. Be honest about the risks of your startup, but inspire your team with the possibility of changing the world. It’s not the guarantee of success but the thrill of the journey that attracts the best people to startups. Follow me for more valuable startup insights from the world best founders!
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