Frank Underwood, the morally flawed anti-hero of binge-worthy Netflix show “House Of Cards” has become quite a hero for entrepreneurs and leaders across the world. Well, for a good reason.
His persistent, cut-the-crap approach has got many rising entrepreneurs like me seeking inspiration. Here are some lessons, I as an entrepreneur, grasped from Underwood. Hopefully they will help you stay motivated too on this crazy rollercoaster journey! (It’s CRAZY, right?)
1. One at a Time
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get excited and jump from one bandwagon to another. There’s always so much to do, and oh, so little time.
But if anything that my entrepreneurial and Netflix journey has taught me, it is to take it ‘one at a time’.
“That’s how you devour a whale, Doug, one bite at a time.”
There’s nothing like an overnight success here — midnight oils, yes definitely! A lot of consistent, slow and gradual steps in one specific direction lead us to the top. Devouring an entire plan looks good on paper, but is ultimately leading us to a hell of disappointment. So, relax and take it ‘one bite at a time’.
2. Your content is your PR
In a small emerging business, our social media and website content is exactly what allows people perceive to us as. What we share is what we become for our audience.
“We are nothing more or less than what we choose to reveal”
This is exactly the reason why your personal goals and strategies should not interfere with your content strategy. You got be clear how you want your brand to be perceived by the people, and then post your content in sync with it. Time and again, pause and ask ‘Is it consistent with your brand?’ ‘Is it relevant to your business?’ ‘Will your audience be interested?’ So, if someone else is running your marketing, let them know your content startegy beforehand.
3. Invest in choosing a right team
We cannot place bets with people, but we can place bets on our own judgement. So be wise. Hire people who want to succeed, people who are on a constant hunger to beat their next goal. They are the ones who will beat YOUR goal. The only good way to deal with your enemy is to make him your best friend. Back people!
“I like to back people who want to succeed.”
A startup becomes an enterprise only through a team effort. Choose your team wisely. People with strong work ethic, ambition, and the ability to perform under pressure are your startups’ precious gifts. INVEST in them!
4. In business, a written word is the last bet
Majority of us hardly go through the fine print. It’s long, tedious and boring, right? So, as much as we think we can keep playing on fluke, we just never know when that unfortunate ignorance plays back on us! That’s a risk, you CANNOT afford to take.
“Read the fine print.”
Take your time, a day, week or perhaps a month, but read thoroughly what contract are you signing and on what terms.
5. We can turn failures into opportunities
I think that is one thing which inherently came the day we decided to step on this bandwagon of entrepreneurship.
“If you don’t like how the table is set, turn over the table.”
Francis Underwood was passed over for being appointed as the Secretary of the State. But did he sit with it? Hell not! He turned around the tables by waiting for the perfect moment to turn his failure into mega success. No one was killed and there Underwood got the White house for himself!
6. Adjust your priorities : Power over Money
I know we all came here to make dolla dolla billz billz, but is that really all? When you are really building it from scratch, build a brand than just a business. It will keep you in for a long, long haul.
“Money is the McMansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after ten years, Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries.”
Raymond Tusk had all the money in his bank, but could he stop Francis from becoming the Prez of the US? Nah. Why? Because Francis Underwood had the power. While we are not talking about political power, know that connections, brand value and reputation have a lot more to do with success than ol’ good money.
Hopefully, this 2-minute binge was worth it. Hopefully, now you know why watching Underwood was never a waste of time. Cheers!
‘Power is a lot like real estate. It’s all about location, location, location. The closer you are to the source the higher your property value.’
How close are you, today?
