Summary: In this article, the author explores the difference between genuine visionaries and those who are deluding themselves in the startup world. They argue that true visionaries have a strong relationship with the truth and are truth-oriented, actively questioning assumptions and incorporating new information into their worldview. They also have a willingness to confront unpleasant truths and run towards fear. The article emphasizes the importance of self-trust and cognitive integrity in distinguishing between vision and delusion, and suggests that cognitive integrity can be cultivated over time. The author concludes by encouraging readers to bet on their ability to earn self-trust and pursue their most ambitious visions.
Crucially, this truth-orientation extends to unpleasant truths as much as pleasant ones: as venture capitalist Ben Horowitz puts it, “Almost all CEOs know where the problems are, but only the truly elite ones run towards the fear.” In other words, the truly great founders treat unpleasant emotions as cues to attend more vigilantly to reality, rather than to avoid or rationalize away the unpleasantness. (View Highlight)
