Founders Must Be Narcissists, Sellers Sociopaths

(It’s the spectrum that matters)

I know, usually bad terms:

😏 Narcissists

↳ Individuals with an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration

🥶 Sociopaths

↳ Individuals with a disregard for the rights and feelings of others, often engaging in deceitful and manipulative behavior

However, as with anything, the dose matters.

(Every human––like or not––possesses both of these traits.)

Here’s how both matter for founders and sellers, respectively:

😏 Narcissism In Founders 😏 

1️⃣ Visionary confidence: the unshakable belief in their vision, driving bold decisions and inspiring others to follow their lead

2️⃣ Charismatic leadership: their charisma and self-assuredness can attract investors, customers, and top talent, creating a strong initial momentum for the company

3️⃣ Resilience to failure: healthy narcissism allows founders to persevere through setbacks and criticism, maintaining focus on long-term goals

🥶 Sociopathy In Sellers 🥶

1️⃣ Unwavering focus: a relentless drive to achieve their targets, often undeterred by obstacles or rejection

2️⃣ Persuasive charm: Their charm and confidence can be highly effective in sales, building strong client relationships and closing deals

3️⃣ Strategic manipulation: They excel in reading people and situations, using this skill to negotiate and achieve favorable outcomes for the business

In both roles, especially as a founder, you're up against soul-crushing odds with constant setbacks.

(Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that he wouldn't start a company again, knowing now that it’s 1,000 times harder than he originally thought)

Having these traits can protect oneself against these factors––as long as they don't get out of control and hurt others or their companies.

Too extreme?