Sharing isn't just caring; it's daring.
But holding your cards too close to your vest is often even riskier.
Stealth is overrated
While interviewing Optionality advisory committee member Octavia Goredema for our recent podcast [available to Optionality Premium members, join us!] I said the quote in the above graphic in response to one of Octavia’s comment,
“A lot of entrepreneurs are thinking more, ‘How do I protect myself?’ instead of ‘How do I project myself further along my path by letting people know what I’m doing?’”
If you know me, you know I love alliteration, and I love whatever this is called too…I love rhyme and rhythm when speaking. In this case, I’m speaking about something I’ve long credited as being part of why Silicon Valley, warts and all, is still a place of innovation and success. Just about everyone you meet has a little somethin’ something’ going on, maybe on the side, or maybe their main thing, and they’re happy to tell you about it. And in the telling…and I know this from experience…you learn. Perhaps you learn about competitors you haven’t discovered yet. Perhaps you learn about things others have tried, successfully or (just as instructive) not. Perhaps you learn about someone who might be a passionate supporter, or beta user, or collaboration partner. Perhaps you’re introduced to people, and nothing comes of it, but maybe something does, and you make magic happen.
The argument for stealth is usually about not letting someone steal your idea. But as I’m sure you’ve heard before: Someone has already had your idea. What they (and maybe you) haven’t done yet is execute.
Yes, perhaps you’ve invented a true piece of intellectual property, some technology that can be patent-able. But that’s not the kind of thing people can hear about in a first meeting and go reverse engineer or invent. And if they’re a big enough company with enough resources to do so, then maybe they’re a potential target to acquire you to “kill you” anyway. ;) That’s a good problem to have! Trust me.
Being an entrepreneur is a lonely business, shrouded in uncertainty. it’s easy to get protective and insular…to isolate yourself even more than the very act of starting your own business does. Engaging with others, gauging their reactions, enjoying their natural urge to be of help is one way to not only combat being on a lonely entrepreneurial island, if you’re lucky it can provide the right spark to make something happen far sooner, easier and/or better than it would have.
Worry less about protecting something you don’t even have yet, in other words, and more about projecting yourself into your own future, faster.
Agree? Disagree? Struggle with this instinct yourself? Let me know.
What else is going on
The latest at Optionality
If you haven’t joined Optionality yet, there truly is no better time than now, not least because we’re kicking off our member event series TODAY with a webinar focused on a 360° look at fractional work. It’s not quite consulting; it’s not really just part-time employment, but what is it? And how big an opportunity is it for you, whether you’re looking for fractional work or thinking about hiring someone fractionally.
Sign up now for this afternoon’s webinar and get started exploring!
The Op-Ed Page podcast
I published Episode 102 of The Op-Ed Page, and was happy to welcome Helen Jonsen to the podcast. She introduced me to a new term that she started using to refer to her own career trajectory years ago, Kaleidoscope Career. I’ve used the term Portfolio Career for years myself, but I find her term to be very evocative and perhaps more attractive. I suggest listening and hearing her describe it quite beautifully. As always, if you enjoy, I appreciate a share, subscribe, rating and review :)
TikToks this month
I visited NYC recently, so got the chance to do theatre reviews instead of book reviews. If you’re interested in how Darren Criss pulled off playing the ultimate nerd, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, go check it out. Or, in the case of the example I’m sharing here, if you’ve been wondering if that new revival of Merrily We Roll Along is really all that…check my TikTok out!
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Out in the world
I’m going to re-share these three recent podcasts I was a guest on, because all three women are producing great conversations with lots of wisdom shared for free every single week…and I know how much work it is. if I can be the person who helps you discover the work of Bronwyn, Jen or Katie, I will be pretty chuffed. Please take a listen:
A 20 Minutes with Bronwyn episode about owning your expertise
An episode of The Jen Marples Show, featuring a conversation about #BuffyLifeLessons and how two things can be true.
An episode of Perspectives with Katie Kempner about building community and aligning your work with your values.
That’s it for today. Until next time, please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on any or all of the above. This is basically my blog now! And as always, I appreciate a share of this newsletter or my podcast.
If I can help you break through the things that keep you stuck (or if you are intrigued by the idea of securing my fractional leadership for your initiative), set up your first introductory 30-minute consult for free by booking it in my Calendly. And you can always check out my new LinkedIn Learning Course, Telling Stories That Stick, a 57-minute course on crafting your stories for different audiences (media, investors, prospects, hiring managers) and ensuring those stories stick…and convey exactly what you hope to convey.
Thanks for reading!
-E