1 00:00:00,033 --> 00:00:02,100 I'm also a problem solver by nature 2 00:00:02,100 --> 00:00:03,433 I'm trained as an engineer 3 00:00:03,433 --> 00:00:05,800 and engineering is really about solving problems 4 00:00:05,900 --> 00:00:07,766 to either fix something that's broken 5 00:00:07,766 --> 00:00:09,266 or create something new 6 00:00:09,266 --> 00:00:12,100 that is more effective than what you had before 7 00:00:12,700 --> 00:00:13,566 I think 8 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,966 critical thinking is the way you approach any problem 9 00:00:16,966 --> 00:00:18,466 what is the nature of the problem 10 00:00:18,633 --> 00:00:19,966 what does the solution look like 11 00:00:19,966 --> 00:00:22,666 and is it feasible does it make sense to try 12 00:00:22,966 --> 00:00:24,366 you know if you don't recognize a problem 13 00:00:24,366 --> 00:00:25,733 you can't solve it 14 00:00:26,066 --> 00:00:28,566 and if you have a solution that's not feasible 15 00:00:28,566 --> 00:00:31,300 not realistic you can't fix the problem either 16 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,600 so critical thinking is the foundation 17 00:00:34,866 --> 00:00:37,000 I think of leadership really 18 00:00:37,066 --> 00:00:38,200 you gotta be able to determine 19 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:39,300 what are you trying to do 20 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:40,966 what are the obstacles in your way 21 00:00:41,266 --> 00:00:42,833 what are the resources you have available 22 00:00:42,833 --> 00:00:44,766 whether it's staff or money 23 00:00:44,766 --> 00:00:46,466 or equipment or market share 24 00:00:46,466 --> 00:00:47,566 whatever it might be 25 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,000 and how do you deploy those in a uniform manner 26 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,466 in a forward direction 27 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:53,466 to achieve the ends you're looking for 28 00:00:53,666 --> 00:00:56,966 and it's not just setting a plan and executing it 29 00:00:56,966 --> 00:00:59,933 it's watching as you go is it working 30 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:01,400 if it is great 31 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:03,133 keep doing it if it's not 32 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:04,866 it's a little off fix it 33 00:01:04,866 --> 00:01:08,133 if it's a lot off maybe you're doing something wrong 34 00:01:08,166 --> 00:01:10,466 and this is just a judgment call you've got to make 35 00:01:10,466 --> 00:01:11,800 the essence of leadership is really 36 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:13,200 about thinking your way 37 00:01:13,300 --> 00:01:15,266 to and through the problems you encounter 38 00:01:15,266 --> 00:01:16,633 trying to create something new 39 00:01:16,633 --> 00:01:19,900 or take over something that's working but not very well 40 00:01:19,966 --> 00:01:22,966 it applies in virtually any circumstance 41 00:01:23,033 --> 00:01:25,366 where you have an opportunity to make forward progress 42 00:01:25,366 --> 00:01:27,033 either starting from ground zero 43 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:30,500 or taking over something that is in need of help 44 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:32,533 and you're gonna try to fix it 45 00:01:32,666 --> 00:01:36,100 so leadership is a complicated thing 46 00:01:36,100 --> 00:01:38,566 it's hard to summarize it in just 30 seconds 47 00:01:38,666 --> 00:01:40,400 but that's a good start I think 48 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,900 so you emphasize the important problem - solving 49 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:47,466 as a very 50 00:01:47,466 --> 00:01:50,466 critical element of the entrepreneurial mindset 51 00:01:51,433 --> 00:01:52,300 I do 52 00:01:52,866 --> 00:01:53,833 yeah because I think 53 00:01:53,833 --> 00:01:55,866 I think if you look at the average startup 54 00:01:55,866 --> 00:01:57,966 and I've seen many thousands of them 55 00:01:58,900 --> 00:02:00,866 they may have a grand ambition in mind 56 00:02:00,866 --> 00:02:02,466 they may have a good solution 57 00:02:02,466 --> 00:02:06,766 but really a startup is a new collection of risks 58 00:02:06,833 --> 00:02:09,633 and uncertainties that you need to work through 59 00:02:09,633 --> 00:02:11,966 in order to reach a successful outcome 60 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,933 nothing is as straightforward as you think 61 00:02:15,233 --> 00:02:17,300 We are talking more about the ontological mindset, 62 00:02:17,300 --> 00:02:20,600 which means that we don't really 63 00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:25,300 emphasize only people who will be startup founders, 64 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:31,066 but it can be like anyone who even works for a company 65 00:02:31,066 --> 00:02:33,866 or a community or start their own business 66 00:02:33,866 --> 00:02:37,700 they all somehow can adopt the entrepreneur mindset 67 00:02:39,233 --> 00:02:42,300 yes that mindset applies anywhere 68 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:43,400 whether in a startup 69 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:47,000 in an established corporation in a project at home 70 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:48,166 because what you the whole 71 00:02:48,166 --> 00:02:50,466 the real essence of that mindset is 72 00:02:50,466 --> 00:02:52,033 how do I create something new 73 00:02:52,033 --> 00:02:54,533 or better than I have today 74 00:02:55,066 --> 00:02:57,033 the very definition of entrepreneurship 75 00:02:57,033 --> 00:02:59,033 is trying to come up with a new solution 76 00:02:59,033 --> 00:03:00,566 to a problem you've uncovered 77 00:03:00,666 --> 00:03:02,066 or an inefficiency 78 00:03:02,300 --> 00:03:06,066 or a performance issue that you think you can fix 79 00:03:06,066 --> 00:03:09,400 by applying your creativity and your judgment 80 00:03:09,466 --> 00:03:11,433 and your critical thinking capacity 81 00:03:11,433 --> 00:03:13,066 and your problem solving abilities 82 00:03:13,100 --> 00:03:14,666 to make something new and better