Do you agree that as a general rule entrepreneurs must be a little "irrational" in believing in themselves in order to be successful?

I most certainly do. The reality of running a business has the ability to produce negative emotions in the entrepreneur's mind, so a healthy dose of irrational optimism can help the entrepreneur make the necessary actions to succeed.

Answered 6 months ago by Gary Chomiak

"Irrational" by whose definition?

"Those who say something can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it."

Answered 6 months ago by Sumner M. Davenport

Absolutely agree, being an entrepreneur is the most challenging profession an individual will ever undertake and it requires fortitude that the "rational" person does not care to engage. The biggest challenge is that you have a vision and rarely does anyone else share or understand that vision - that is until you begin making money - and then everyone wants a piece of the action. Irrational? - Absolutely.

Answered 6 months ago by Willard Rogers

I believe that entrepreneurs, as a whole, could benefit from being a bit 'irrational' in believing in themselves as human beings with great potential and capacities, but should balance it with being 'rational', feet-on-ground when it comes to the very nature and commercial feasibility of their endeavors. That's the trick.

Answered 6 months ago by Carlos Ponce

For me I like being identified as irrational, because the definition of "Entrepreneur" is to be a risk taker... So, I would say you have to be a little irrational if your going to take a risk.

As a "older" entrepreneur I can say that I take a lot more calculated risk now, LOL. (maybe not as irrational, age and wisdom, has taught me a few thing)
:-)

Answered 6 months ago by Kenneth Manesse Sr.

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw

Answered 6 months ago by Daniel Sexton

Hi Rob ~

Interesting dialogue around terminology. While I agree with Floyd and Rich that rationality can propel an entrepreneur towards success, a sense of wonder and an inventive mind make the difference between just 'having a business' and building something stupendous. Two of my favorite quotes that speak to this essential left/right brain fusion are:

1) "You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you." ~ Isadora Duncan
2) "The rest of creation is waiting, breathless, for you to take your place." ~ David Whyte

Answered 6 months ago by Amara Rose

Hi Rob,
I do NOT believe I'm irrational in believing myself to be successful...just the opposite. It is rational thought and actions that create my success.
BTW here is the definition:
ir·ra·tion·al
1. without the faculty of reason; deprived of reason.
2.without or deprived of normal mental clarity or sound judgment.
3.not in accordance with reason; utterly illogical: irrational arguments.
I do not relate to any of the 3 definitions given.
I do believe it is rational to think I can succeed even if others don't.
I do think it is rational to believe I can make a difference for my clients .
I do believe it is rational to create something that is not there because it is needed. Henry Ford said "If I had asked my customers what they needed...they would have said a faster horse"
Best,
Rich

Answered 6 months ago, Edited 6 months ago by Rich Grehalva

A little irrational inasmuch as they are betting on an unknown future. The optimism comes from their belief that they can mitigate the risk or at least overcome it.

Answered 6 months ago by Michael Pfeffer

Definately! If you don't believe in yourself who else is going to???

Answered 6 months ago by Luis Heimpel

Overly enthusiastic, perhaps - irrational, no.

Irrational attracts the same - employees, investors, etc.

Answered 3 months ago by Joseph P. Lanham

Good question, I was thinking about this very thing the other day. It seems in order for an entrepreneur to be successful they must not care about others. I know this sounds against the often cited "team collaboration, work hard play hard mentality" but think about it. For example, facebook, zuckerberg did whatever he wanted at the cost of others in order to make it mainstream. He didn't care. He gives away money now to non-profits but that is after the fact. Yes, I believe one would have to be a self serving ego maniac to stay extremely focused on getting where they want to go. :)

Answered 3 months ago by Michelle Rawicz

No! I dont agree. Be conservative, and have a ton of cushion in the bank. Plan, adapt and work. But be realistic that business fail all the time, and do everything you need to do to manage the risk.

Answered 4 months ago by Dan Seligson

Yes, most definitely. Especially if you're an entrepreneur who is a salesman at the same time. Copius amounts of optimism, confidence in oneself and the belief that sometimes the impossible can be achieved is greatly important.

Answered 4 months ago by Lidia Paly

This question assumes a finite definition of 'irrational' in the context of the question. perhaps that provided in the writer's referenced article, but the question alone is 'irrational.'

Answered 4 months ago by Mark Cohen 800-213-3392 ext. 10...

yes, they are all nuts, the only way to compensate is to surround yourself with sane people and business advisors

Answered 5 months ago by Jason Palmer

Absolutely. Entrepreneurs are "box cutters" as I like to say. Our society is full of people that are taught to go to school, get good grades, so you can get a job and work the 40x40x40 plan. While I agree education, personal development, and other things come into play, its about being consistent, persistent, helping others, and following through on your dreams. We are seen as irrational because we are 2% ers. I am irrational and crazy, but I wouldnt change who I am today or where I am going for anyone.

Answered 5 months ago by Jamie Dobay

No, calculated risk to try to achieve a better solution is a very sane and very rational self-preservation mechanism. I don't believe Jeff Haden has a good handle on the skills possessed by entrepreneurs. Being irrational is counter-productive and blocks your ability to make careful and calculated risks. Being successful is hard work, and if you're successful it's often not because you believe in yourself, but because you believe in an ideal and want to see it realised. You may surround yourself in people in whom you believe, but ultimately you're driven by a vision for something better than what you have. That's entirely rational. What's irrational is people consuming their available living time doing pointless things and claiming to be successful. Curious question.

Answered 6 months ago by Andrew Whitfield

“Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people. G.B. Shaw

Answered 6 months ago by Roland Catellier

Absolutely! Entrepreneurs often have creative out of the box ideas and will appear irrational to others as a result. They need to ensure they have people in their support environment such as a business coach (me for instance!) who will believe in the potential without judgement and that can also gently bring the idea down to earth with feasibility checks etc before embarkling on launching it.

Answered 6 months ago by Julie Ashton

Agreed, if you're not overly optimistic about your own project, nobody else will be! But don't lose touch with reality though...

Answered 6 months ago by Patrick Alff

As an entrepreneur, I find it irrational to be rational about what is possible. I think you are either a rational person or a possibility person. I believe in what's possible, because it has no limits, or boundaries - just like my imagination.

Answered 6 months ago by Simon Berenyi

Irrational? No! Confident? Committed? Absolutely!

An Entrepreneur must acknowledge the possibility of failure but believe it won't happen to them. Once an Entrepreneur believes they might fail, they already have. That's not irrational. It's a success driven mind set.

Success requires confidence and commitment. Why commit if you are not confident and how can you be confident if you are not committed? There is nothing irrational about expecting success if you are confident and committed. It doesn't guarantee success but it does minimize the potential for failure.

Answered 6 months ago by Steve Meyer

I agree with Amara that my question has sparked some interesting discussion and debate. I enjoy stirring the pot and drawing out differing viewpoints. Thanks to all who have responded and contributed so far--keep the comments and opinions coming.

Update: Thanks, all, for the insightful discussion. A lot of good points were made.

Answered 6 months ago, Edited 4 months ago by Rob Wolfe

No. Entrepreneurs need to have a cold blooded rational understanding of the risks, and then proceed despite the risks. Irrational belief in oneself without understanding is folly.

Answered 6 months ago by Peter Crosby

ALL Entrepreneurs believe in the impossible! All of us!

That's half the fun!

Some us don't dream big enough though!

Gerald

Answered 6 months ago, Edited 6 months ago by Gerald Grinter

I believe that is part of the definition of being an entrepreneur.

Answered 6 months ago by Barbara Goldberg

NO. If fact entrepreneurs must possess a higher degree of rationality than most other people. If they don't they will end up going bankrupt. Level-headedness keeps business owners from going over a cliff or keeping their heads in the clouds (wishful thinking).

If they are not thinking and show a steady hand by employing sound business tools and practices, such as for budgeting, planning, and strategy, they will be just another statistic among business failures.

I think, a lot of time those who write on a topic like this get irrationality, optimism, and a conservative approach to doing business confused. It is not irrational to be aggressive in pursuit in the market. However, aggressiveness must be tempered by reality planning. If it isn't business owners will hit the fizzle factor and either consume all their resouces prior to reaching the market successfully or allocate those resources ineffectively. This approach takes every bit of rationality available.

Apart from this, define "irrationality." I am using it in its normal usage.

For those of you interested in a more in depth answer, I have a new book due for release December 15, 2012 that discusses the issues I address here called "Customer-Driven Budgeting: Prepare, Engage, Execute, A Small Business Guide, by Business Expert Press, New York.

Answered 6 months ago by Floyd Talbot

Absolutely! Like anything else in business and in life - you're only going to get out of it (your business) the effort you put into it. Any entrepreneur worth his (or her) salt and who is truly passionate about what it is they are doing will ALWAYS have "irrational optimism!"

Answered 6 months ago by Mick Young

What's irrational about believing in oneself in order to achieve success? After all, if you don't have faith in yourself, then why should anyone else...? Irrational optimism? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Optimism comes from an extremely rational mind that goes to sleep believing that there will be a tomorrow, as opposed to ending it all and ensuring that there definitely won't be.

Answered 6 months ago, Edited 6 months ago by George Bohlender

Irrational, Passionate, Dedicated, Forward thinking and maybe highly motivated as there is no one else to sound your own trumpet as well as yourself!

Answered 6 months ago by Jane Tepper

I think an entrepreneur should have a deep level of confidence and understanding on the niche that they are trying to exploit. If others think that irrational so be it.

Answered 6 months ago by Joseph Bernard