Total Rethink

24The Sheer Joy of Being a Creative Revolutionary

“Art, freedom, and creativity will change society faster than politics.”

—Victor Pinchuk

So, if truly creative entrepreneurs are born rather than made, as I think is usually the case, can they ever stop being creative and settle for the status quo?

There have been a few times in my career when I have been asked if I would be interested in taking a salaried job running a major company, or becoming a political appointee, or running for office. The offers have been tempting and, as I have already admitted, I never like saying “no” to any opportunity for a new experience. I have given each invitation a lot of thought before answering, fearful that either way I might end up regretting my decision if I acted too hastily.

Being on a guaranteed salary and bonus package would certainly be a much easier way to make money because, unlike entrepreneurs, senior executives don't have to start anything themselves and they don't have to risk any of their own money in the process. For those very reasons, however, I am not convinced that they always deserve the high monetary rewards that they manage to negotiate for themselves. Consequently, I can't help feeling that it would be unsatisfying to know that the money was going to go into my bank account at the end of each month regardless of whether or not I had achieved good results. Would it not be hard to remain fully committed and motivated under such conditions?

I also know myself well enough ...