I once worked with a colleague who had spent about ten years as an engineer and project manager at a large technology company. He believed he had found a kind of electronic glass with features that would become very popular, so he left his job and started a company with several colleagues. He put a great deal of his own money into making a special product.
For two years, they solved one problem only to meet another. Eventually he had spent all his money. He had even sold his home, so he no longer had a place to live. In the end, the project failed, the team separated, and everyone had to look for work again. He came to our company and became my colleague.
When he talks about that time now, I think he would choose differently if he could go back. He might have stayed at his old company instead of trying to build one of his own. His experience changed how I think about risk. The challenge may be exciting, but sometimes we need to think even more seriously about the difficulties waiting inside it.
I once worked with a colleague who had spent about ten years as an engineer and project manager at a large technology company. He believed he had found a kind of electronic glass with features that would become very popular, so he left his job and started a company with several colleagues. He put a great deal of his own money into making a special product.
For two years, they solved one problem only to meet another. Eventually he had spent all his money. He had even sold his home, so he no longer had a place to live. In the end, the project failed, the team separated, and everyone had to look for work again. He came to our company and became my colleague.
When he talks about that time now, I think he would choose differently if he could go back. He might have stayed at his old company instead of trying to build one of his own. His experience changed how I think about risk. The challenge may be exciting, but sometimes we need to think even more seriously about the difficulties waiting inside it.
