I had breakfast this morning with an entrepreneur and we talked about entrepreneurial type stuff. One of the topics we broached on was creating an entrepreneurial culture. The key aspect of this that stuck out in my mind was the right entrepreneurial attitude.

Being entrepreneurial means taking a risk, and the trouble with taking risk is that there is sometimes the dreaded “F” bomb Failure rears its ugly head. Yes when you are pushing the envelope and trying new stuff sometimes things just don’t work out. You know, Stuff happens.

How you deal with stuff happening has everything to do with attitude and culture. Even some of Ottawa’s greatest entrepreneurs have had their setbacks. Who remembers West End Systems or Castleton, probably not too many people because they never got over the IPO hurdle, however, how many people remember March or Newbridge Networks, same entrepreneur. Mixed with Success there will inevitably be failure. 
In every problem are the seeds of opportunity. Through a miscue comes learning.

There is a story in Winning Friends and Influencing People where a pilot takes up his vintage world war II prop based plane for a flight. About three hundred feet up, the engine stalls and shuts down. The pilot wrestles with the controls and manages to land the plane with minor damage. Immediately after landing he exits the plane and inspects the fuel tanks. Just as he suspected the tanks have been filled with jet fuel instead of gasoline.

The sheepish flight technician that made the mistake is standing on the tarmac watching events unfold and realizes what he has done. It is a miracle the plane wasn’t destroyed or the pilot killed. He is beside himself with worry. He notices that the pilot has turned and started to walk quickly toward him.

The pilot approaches the technician and puts his arm around the young mans shoulders. With a laugh he says I would like you to drain the tank and repair the plane. I am going to trust you with the plane because after today I am sure that you will never make the same mistake again.
The grateful technician breathes a huge sigh of relief and runs toward the planeto start the repairs.

I present to you TheCodeFactory Norm #1: “Don’t Criticize, Condemn or Complain.” TheCodeFactory will be a 3C free zone. People are happier and tend to perform much better in an encouraging environment.

Cheers,

ian (dot) thecodefactory

Filed under: Camp Culture by Ian
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