Indiana Jones: Entrepreneur and Leader

Ok, there’s probably a whole book that could be written on Indiana Jones as an allegory for entrepreneurship and/or leadership.  But I’m going to focus on just the one that popped into my head today.

Remember the end of “The Last Crusade” when they kept sending the soldiers into get the Grail and they kept getting decapitated?  Then Indy, having just seen a head roll up to his feet, ventures in himself?  That’s what it takes to be an entrepreneur.  The willingness to venture in where others have been decapitated time and time again.  The confidence (maybe arrogance) to believe that you won’t be the guy staring at your own torso lying 4 feet away.  If you don’t have that, you’re never going to make it.

Of course that doesn’t mean being stupid either.  Remember- Indy had the journal, filled with the learning and experience of others.  And this wasn’t his first adventure- his first adventure was a flop.  He had experience and knowledge to guide him- but he still had to have been a nervous wreck.  It’s about getting past those nerves.  It’s not letting other’s failures scare you off when you know you have something they didn’t.  And it’s about guts.  That’s a big part of being an entrepreneur.

Remember after he made it how he cleared the way for the others?  Disabling the traps and leaving markers so others could follow him safely?  That’s what it takes to be a leader.  The ability to show others the path you’ve created.  The willingness to teach others your success.  Making it safer, but not necessarily foolproof.  That’s a big part of being a leader.

Whatever grails your business is searching for, you’re going to need entrepreneurs to take the risks and leaders to mark the paths.  And if you can find them both in one person, don’t be surprised if they’re wearing a fedora.