The Dropout

I recently (recent to when I wrote this, which was a while ago at this point) finished the Hulu series The Dropout and it was so good. I did listen to a podcast about it a year or 2 ago and really enjoyed it (was it this one? https://open.spotify.com/show/7lrJqILWfMuQhqDHJEFUK6 I don’t remember). Seeing the actors portray these characters really changed the experience though. The way Elizabeth Holmes' voice and mannerisms are portrayed is just phenomenal. Show is worth watching for the great acting, and the story is interesting as well. 

While watching it, sometimes I would think, wow, it would  be so cool to start and run my own company. I mean I know they aren't doing it right, but if I was just honest instead, I could do it better. 

But, in a way, I think that isn't true. Theranos with honesty isn't a better company, it's a nonexistent company. If they were honest from the start, it never would have gotten anywhere; the idea behind the product was fundamentally flawed. 

I think we can find ourselves guilty of using crutches.  By saying Theranos  without ethics would have never been anything and given my desire to be ethical, I've basically given myself permission to not do anything. In essence you can use being ethical as an excuse to not get started, to do nothing. 

The reality is the dilemma is false. You can be ethical and start a company. If you want to make a lasting company, being ethical is probably required. Cheating might help you today, but it won't help you in the long run. 

Everyone will reap what they sow eventually. Sometimes when I'm working on my projects and seemingly getting nowhere, I also need to remember that. 

So don’t give up, or worse never even start. But at the same time, don’t give in to pressure. Do it the right way, and it will pay off in the end.