The Agile Startup: Quick and Dirty Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Fake It ’Til You Make It

As an entrepreneur, you will be out of your element often. At the beginning, when you have to do everything yourself, you will always feel like you’re behind the eight ball. You will have to learn how to do so many things along the way—talk to customers, build technology, handle suppliers, conform to industry norms, manufacture your products, and everything in-between. A hallmark of the serial entrepreneur is the ability to exude confidence, even in moments of extreme uncertainty. Often, successful entrepreneurs’ favorite war stories are about these moments of extreme uncertainty when a bluff paid off. Take risks and be bold, but don’t make promises you can’t keep—you won’t get a second chance.

Acting the part is especially important when pitching your startup to investors or prospective employees. For example, you might be asked to predict where the market is going over the next two years, when you might not feel comfortable predicting what will happen in the next two weeks. It’s important to reassure your audience, and convince them that you have the special insight required to build a winner. Be certain about what you don’t know, and fake it ‘til you make it.

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