The political "silly season" of electoral politics is upon us again & something that's always displayed front & center especially in the primaries is "philosophy." For example there are clear philosophical differences between the Democrats & the GOP when it comes to the role of government. Although it doesn't get nearly enough play, one's business philosophy is just as important. For this reason I find myself once again in disagreement with business blogger Penelope Trunk…well, sort of. She recently wrote a blog post asserting that the best way to launch a successful startup is for it to remain single-gender during this initial phase because not doing so is almost a guarantee of failure. I disagree. While I think gender issues &/or sexual conflict can certainly occur in mixed gender enterprises, I think the bigger problem is one of business philosophy. Why? The former can be overcome [nothing breeds forgiveness like the smell of success; i.e. money] but the latter can prove to be a tougher foe.
A Case Of Misplaced Political 'Incorrectness'
While I understand [& agree with] the larger point that she is making which is at this early phase of a business, what is needed is "relentless drive & laser beam like focus without distraction," I think the target of the problem she describes is "off the mark" & a weird case of misplaced "political incorrectness" run amok. By this I mean that there are a whole host of ways to dilute focus & sabotage a new business without pointing the finger solely at gender differences [which she maintains creates sexual friction &/or behavioral differences because men & women behave differently at work when stressed]. Now while I am the first to admit that this stuff happens, I think that when it comes to business, ambitious, driven, like-minded people can deal with it. Also, in the age of single-sex relationships & marriage, isn't it just logical to conclude that related problems could arise in a single gender business [at least insofar as sexual conflict is concerned]? It is the new millennium 'thing'; just sayin'. Now before someone's PC feathers get ruffled, I am not saying it would happen, just that it could. What I am saying is that I don't think that as Trunk maintains, mixed gender conflict is the new entrepreneur's biggest concern [quite aside from core things like having enough money which is probably the #1 concern of every new business].
When It Comes To Launching A New Business There Are Bigger Problems Than Gender
Based on my observations as a consultant, a lack of adequate drive on the part of just a few, or differences in business philosophy not properly vetted & aired at the outset, are much bigger problems. Basically these issues nearly guarantee failure if they are not resolved before "birthing" a new business. Instead of “fingering” gender differences, & conceding that anything diluting the essential focus on actual business is a problem, I think the better argument to make is that in the early phase of a business, all parties [regardless of gender] not only have to have relentless focus but they must be of one mind [the latter can be viewed as an umbrella term for a LOT of “real estate”]. Gender differences don’t necessarily have to be the “fly in the ointment” & can be overcome while intractable business philosophy & insufficient drive or ambition is much "higher mountain to climb." What do you think?
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