Russ Roberts, host of the podcast EconTalk and author of How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, discusses the meaning behind creating startups, the human nature and capitalism, key economic concepts for founders, teaching economics, the emotional aspect of giving your company away, and incorporating unquantifiable aspects of well-being into economics.
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Quick takeaways
Non-financial motivations, such as seeking recognition and leaving a mark on the world, drive many founders to start their own companies.
Understanding and leveraging the concept of emergent order can help founders make better decisions and allow their companies to self-regulate and solve problems naturally.
Transitioning a company to new leadership involves significant emotional challenges for founders, as they navigate relinquishing control and determining their role in the future of the company.
Deep dives
The Emotional Motivation of Founders in Startups
The podcast episode discusses the non-financial motivations that drive founders to start their own companies. These motivations often include a desire for recognition, leaving a mark on the world, and seeking approval or respect from others. While financial success is important, the spiritual and emotional aspects of building and creating something meaningful are equally important to many entrepreneurs. This emotional motivation can be seen in examples of founders who are moved by the thought of their deceased parents witnessing their success, or the desire to make a positive impact on the world. The podcast emphasizes that the money aspect is crucial, but the non-financial aspects provide a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The Importance of Emergent Order in Economics
The podcast explores the concept of emergent order in economics, which refers to the idea that certain problems or systems can self-regulate and solve themselves without explicit control or intervention. It challenges the notion that everything needs to be centrally planned or controlled to function effectively. The podcast highlights how emergent order applies not only in economic theory but also in the business world. It suggests that founders and entrepreneurs can leverage emergent order by understanding when to outsource, tap into their company's culture, or allow problems to be resolved naturally. This perspective offers a different lens through which to view organizational dynamics and decision-making.
The Challenges of Letting Go as a Founder
The podcast delves into the emotional and practical challenges founders face when transitioning their companies to someone else's hands. It notes the deep emotional attachment founders have towards their creations, similar to the pride one feels in writing a book or raising a child. Handing off control to a new leader can be difficult, as it involves relinquishing the vision, direction, and decision-making power to someone else. Transitioning from founder to an operational or advisory role can be a struggle for many, as they navigate through the conflicting desires for growth, financial success, and maintaining control. The podcast highlights the human aspect of this process and the psychological factors that come into play.
The importance of virtue and wisdom over fame, power, and money
The speaker highlights the importance of being virtuous and wise as a better way to be respected and honored, rather than seeking fame, power, and money. This insight challenges the misconception that economics is solely about making money, emphasizing the deeper aspects of human well-being.
Incorporating unquantifiable aspects of well-being in economics
The speaker discusses the challenge economists face in quantifying aspects of well-being that are not easily measured. They highlight the tendency to focus on measurable factors while disregarding the non-quantifiable dimensions of human experience, such as dignity and quality of life. The speaker suggests that economists should be cautious of the limitations of quantification and recognize the importance of non-quantifiable aspects of well-being in decision-making.
24:14 - How EconTalk has changed since the beginning
26:14 - Steve Adema asks - Russ Roberts has emphasized the limits of "only looking where the light is" when it comes to studying well-being. How can economists incorporate the aspects of well-being that aren't easily quantified?
34:34 - Warren Buffett's gift to his son
36:09 - Founders and unintended consequences
39:44 - The emotional aspect of giving your company away
44:19 - Anthony Y. asks - Has a guest on his show ever made him change his mind on a topic?
50:54 - Has Nassim Taleb convinced him to deadlift?
52:59 - Russ often quotes David Foster Wallace's speech, “This is Water”. Specifically, he quotes the phrase, “everyone worships.” What does Russ worship?
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