In Thiel & Master’s Zero to One (2014) they suggest one question for job applicants:
What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Every successful new venture is built on new knowledge that most people would disagree with. The problem is what Andy Andrews describes in The Seven Decisions (2014) as “burning the boats.”
Most people will cling to popular beliefs because they’re scared they will be criticized for beliefs that very few people agree with them on. As a consequence, when thing get difficult at their venture, and they can feel the wall of criticism and shame approacing, they will quit. They will lack the conviction that Andrew’s says is required for personal success.
I think Thiel underestimates the emotional courage required to undertake entrepreneurship. In my experience, a failure to manage negative emotions is the single most important obstacle to start up success.
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