Week 3 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

The biggest surprise for me in the reading was learning about the dark side of entrepreneurship. Many people only focus on, or teach about, the bright and happy side of entrepreneurship. It is not all too often that textbooks go into detail on the dark side of something, so I found it surprising that the dark side of entrepreneurship was talked about. It is said that this “dark side of entrepreneurship” are the destructive forces that are found within the energetic drive of successful entrepreneurs. There is such a risk involved in being an entrepreneur; however, with this great risk comes great reward.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you. 

One part of the reading that was confusing was the part about the entrepreneurial ego. I think that the ego of the “entrepreneur” is different from person to person and that I found it unrealistic to stereotype all entrepreneurs in one category and found it misleading and confusing.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why? 

The first question I would ask to the author would be: What is the unrealistic optimism and how does that relate to being a successful entrepreneur? There is a fine line between never quitting, never giving up and realizing a business is a bad idea and dropping it to start another venture. My other question would be: Where does the entrepreneurial motivation come from? What makes someone who starts their own business different from someone who has worked their way up in a relatively large business and who may have the same calculated risks? 

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How? 

I think that the author was wrong about the fact that entrepreneurs have this belief in their ability that seldom waivers. I do not know a plethora of entrepreneurs to test this claim, but most of the entrepreneurs that I have talked to face major obstacles and sometimes consider giving up; they are human just like you and me.