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Sam Altman, a prominent entrepreneur and investor, has a clear message for aspiring startup founders: don't rely on others to tell you what kind of startup to start. His advice is grounded in the belief that the best ideas are often those that aren't immediately obvious to everyone.
Photo: Stanford
Avoiding the Obvious
Altman recalls the days when he sought advice on what startup to start. "I remember when I was just like asking people, 'What startup should I start?'" he says. He emphasizes that by the time an idea is obvious enough for seasoned entrepreneurs to suggest it, it's probably not a great startup idea. "It's probably not that great of a startup idea," he notes.
Charting Your Own Course
One of Altman's core beliefs is that having an impactful career requires charting your own course. "You have to chart your own course," he stresses. If your idea is something that many others are likely to pursue, it's worth being skeptical. Instead, Altman encourages developing a knack for coming up with non-obvious ideas. "A really good muscle to build is coming up with the ideas that are not the obvious ones to say," he advises.
The Power of Outlandish Ideas
Altman is confident that the most important ideas are often those that aren't immediately apparent to everyone.
"I don't know what the really important idea is that I'm not thinking of right now, but I'm very sure someone in this room does"
highlighting the value of unique perspectives and unconventional thinking.
Examples of Outlandish Ideas That Worked
History is full of examples where seemingly outlandish ideas turned into groundbreaking successes. Here are a few:
Airbnb: When Airbnb started, the idea of renting out a room in your home to strangers seemed bizarre. Many investors passed on the opportunity, doubting its potential. Today, Airbnb is a multi-billion-dollar company that revolutionized the travel industry.
Tesla: The idea of a high-performance electric car company seemed far-fetched when Elon Musk started Tesla. Electric cars were seen as impractical and unappealing. Tesla not only proved the skeptics wrong but also became a leader in the automotive industry.
SpaceX: The concept of a private company launching rockets into space was once considered impossible. Space exploration was dominated by government agencies like NASA. However, SpaceX, under Elon Musk's leadership, has made significant advancements and now regularly sends rockets to space.
Conclusion
Sam Altman's advice is clear: trust your instincts and think beyond the obvious. The most impactful ideas often come from charting your own course and embracing unconventional thinking. By doing so, you can create a startup that stands out and makes a significant impact. So, next time you're pondering what startup to start, remember that the best ideas might just be the ones that others haven't thought of yet.
Listen to Sam Altman:
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