Don’t Tell Me My Problems Are Not Unique

Suggest to entrepreneurs that their dilemmas aren’t unique and they are offended. Their first reaction is that you are insulting their business. They don’t want to hear that their business is “like every other business.” Instead they’ll interject: “Our product has never been created.” After all, they believe they are doing something special. If they have this perspective, they also believe that the problems they are experiencing are unique.

We may have the most innovative new idea in the world, but the day-to- day challenges of bringing it to life are shared by many others. Additionally, the basic business principles you need to succeed, while sometimes applied differently in traditional companies, still remain basic road signs for everyone. Why does this distinction matter? Imagining your struggle is incomparable with anyone else’s is a damaging perspective for a number of reasons.

“Your Problems Are the Same as Every Entrepreneur’s.” 

The Implications

When entrepreneurs believe their issues are unique, they shun support and direction from experienced business people offering valuable advice. They believe they are operating under a different set of parameters. As a result, they isolate themselves and hunker down in their perspective. It’s a bunker mentality. As more people try to help, they feel more isolated and hunker down further.

What keeps running through the entrepreneur’s head is, “Unless you are here every day, you can’t understand our issues.” It’s true—people who have only worked in larger organizations or have not put their money, career and lifestyle on the line may not understand what the entrepreneur goes through on a daily basis. Yet, responding with a bunker mentality or defensive attitude prevents you from taking advantage of established tools, business principles, guidance from others and supportive mentor- ship. More importantly, your belief that no one understands your specific situation isolates both you and your team, not only from the knowledge of the larger business world, but of those in the entrepreneurial community.

The reality is, in fact, quite the contrary. There are many experienced entrepreneurs who have “been there, done that” and can lend valuable support. Other entrepreneurs also understand the natural insecurities that can take over, especially in the early chaos of launching your business. We are not insulting the uniqueness of your business. No one is questioning the dedication it takes. However, when it comes to accessing much needed resources and direction, defending your “difference” is not only incorrect, it is not in the best interest of your company.