{"id":5966,"date":"2014-01-18T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-18T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/creator\/?p=4382"},"modified":"2020-03-30T19:09:26","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T23:09:26","slug":"3-myths-successful-startup-cultures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/3-myths-successful-startup-cultures","title":{"rendered":"Three myths about successful startup cultures"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all read the stories about the hot new startups making waves in their industry \u2013 and how they\u2019re doing it from colorful beanbag chairs in a once-destitute warehouse on the south side of town. We\u2019re prone to conclude that these startups are sustaining high-level performance because they\u2019ve broken down the (cubicle) walls binding our ability to collaborate, innovate, and achieve full potential.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, myths about high performing culture develop from these stories. Now, to dispel a few \u201cmust-have\u201d myths:<\/p>\n

A \u2018Cool\u2019 Vibe<\/h2>\n

While it may seem that a waterslide snaking through your office will promote innovation, it usually just leaves you all wet. Many high performing companies do have \u201ccool\u201d vibe cultures, but their sustained performance is attributed to much more than the free mocha coolatas. These cultures tend to be manifestations of their founders and leaders \u2013 entrepreneurial, risk-taking, intentionally provocative. These outward characteristics predicate high performance when they are founded in certain values: determination to succeed against all odds, an underdog mentality, and a youthful exuberance that imitators just can\u2019t match.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t try to be something you\u2019re not. Seek to understand what is truly valued in your organization. Then, ask yourself how those values manifest themselves daily. Are these manifestations going to help you or derail you from achieving your goals? \u201cCool\u201d doesn\u2019t necessarily mean high performing. And trying to be \u201ccool\u201d when you\u2019re not certainly isn\u2019t going to end well.<\/p>\n

A Charismatic Leader<\/h2>\n

The second common myth is that organizations need a charismatic leader at the helm in order to inspire greatness in others. In fact, recent thinking is quite the opposite. Highly successful CEOs tend to be those who shy away from the spotlight \u2013 those who are maniacally focused on the success of the business and who are never satisfied. If your charismatic CEO spends more time on the speaking circuit than in the office contributing to your organization\u2019s success, you may be in trouble.<\/p>\n

A Startup Mentality<\/h2>\n

While all organizations must be adaptive in order to meet the changing needs of the market (an attribute often associated with quick and nimble startups), this is not a prerequisite for success. Although it may be more challenging to turn the rudder on an ocean liner than a dingy, mature organizations are absolutely able to foster innovative thinking that keeps them competitive. It\u2019s less about a startup mentality and more about understanding your objectives and how your organization\u2019s culture is going to help get you there.<\/p>\n

Myth-buster bottom line:<\/strong>\u00a0A culture of performance is not necessarily a culture that seems catchy. The key is to clarify what you stand for and who you need to be and to execute on that vision authentically.<\/p>\n

A version of this post originally appeared on the author\u2019s\u00a0blog.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)<\/a>\u00a0is an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched\u00a0StartupCollective<\/a>, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all read the stories about the hot new startups making waves in their industry \u2013 and how they\u2019re doing it from colorful beanbag chairs in a once-destitute warehouse on the south side of town. We\u2019re prone to conclude that these startups are sustaining high-level performance because they\u2019ve broken down the (cubicle) walls binding our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1067,"featured_media":34251,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43902],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThree myths about successful startup cultures<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We\u2019ve all read the stories about the hot new startups making waves in their industry \u2013 and how they\u2019re doing it from colorful beanbag chairs in a on\u2026\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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