Introduction
I’ve been involved in the startup space for around five years, but I’ve been surrounded by it my whole life - my father’s a startup guy himself, and we have spent countless hours discussing our experiences. As I prepare to start working again after graduating, I’ve been thinking a lot about the people I’ve met, the interactions I’ve had, and the types of personalities that tend to show up again and again.
People in the startup world can be imagined as drivers on a highway. Every lane has different kinds of drivers, all moving at different speeds, with different driving styles. You’ll come across lane hoggers, tailgaters, slow movers, speeders, and reckless lane switchers. If you’re a good driver, get ready to be tailgated. If you’re new to the game, expect others to flash past you without warning. Some are crawling forward and might never actually get anywhere. The most important thing is to just keep driving.
Chapter 1: Living in the fast lane
The first group of individuals, and usually the most discussed, are your fast drivers. You’ll find a lot of these people in the startup world but barely any elsewhere. They can be the most powerful person to have on your team or the most destructive force to your entire trajectory. Tread with caution. Everyone wants to drive fast and some may do it more recklessly than others.
The Dream Driver
You’ll hear the dream driver being described as a “10x engineer”, or as “cracked”. This person is a seasoned F1 professional. They’ve driven on dirt roads and highways, through storms, over cliffs, across countries. They’ve crashed plenty, but with every crash, the frequency drops. These people drive with raw acceleration but are careful not to spin out. Even if they hit a bump or slam the brakes, they’re back at full speed in no time.
They don’t give a shit about other drivers, but not in a disrespectful way. They don’t give a shit about them simply because they don’t see them as obstacles in their way. They’ve been on the road so long, with so many miles behind them, that overtaking feels like breathing. These people are rare, but when you find one, they’ll change the pace of your company completely. Every engineer should strive to become one, I most certainly do.
The Asshole
Then you’ve got the reckless assholes. These people aren’t driving for the destination, they’re racing against others. They show up in the flashiest cars, decked out with big brand logos, loud engines, and much louder personalities. They’ll switch lanes to cut in front of people and bump into fenders just to show that they can. They spend more time looking in the rear view mirror at who they just passed rather than looking at what’s coming up ahead.
But here’s the beauty of it all. It might feel like they’ve passed you, and for a while, they may have. But they usually end up missing their turn. They’re too busy looking back at you so you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing the look on their face when they realise they need to turn back around.
What’s the best way to deal with these people? Ignore them. Focus on your lane - they always sort themselves out. If you’re unfortunate enough to get clipped by one, just remember - much like in real driving - if you get hit from behind, it’s pretty clear who’s at fault. Once the smoke settles, people will see their true colours and you’ll be on your merry way.
These people often operate out of jealousy, though they would never admit it. You may not have realised it but you likely overtook them at some point and they’ve held onto that moment ever since. They’ve been dreaming of your crash, and may even have a go at causing it themselves. Just stay in your lane. This is your career and your opportunity. You’re the one in control.
Chapter 2: Sticking to the Slow Lane
Not everyone is flying down the highway and that’s not always a bad thing. The slow lane gets a bad rep in the startup space, but it’s filled with people who either carry something valuable or are just getting started. Some are loaded with experience and knowledge while others are still learning to drive. Either way, they’re moving - and that’s what counts.
The Cargo Truck
These are the veterans. People who’ve been driving longer than you’ve been alive. They’ve crossed every kind of road and they move slow because they’re hauling something heavy.
They’re transporting a massive load of knowledge and experience which can mean that they aren’t nimble. Don’t expect them to switch lanes quickly. But in their lane? They dominate. No one’s getting in their way.
It’s important to mention that this makes them risky to put on the frontlines. Their size and force can derail others if they’re too stubborn or too certain that they’re always right. If they’re highly opinionated, collaboration can become friction. In almost every startup I’ve stepped foot in, this has happened. Try and identify it before it becomes an issue. It doesn’t matter how right an individual thinks they are - what matters is whether it’s right for the company.
What’s the best use for these people? Advisors and sales facing roles. Let them showcase their wisdom, just don’t let them dictate the route for the whole team. The roads may have changed since they started, but they’ll be the ones who have the knowledge on how to get from point A to point B.
New Drivers
You’ll also encounter new drivers. People without years of experience. Cautious, hesitant, unsure - but always learning. With time, they will speed up, we’ve all been there. The mere fact that they’re even driving on the highway, rather than sitting on the bus (taking the corporate route), deserves respect. It’s easy to overlook new drivers, but it does take significant courage to get behind the wheel and join the highway (especially when others are already speeding).
Encouragement and support go a long way here. If these people are putting in the reps and are showing up at every opportunity that’s been granted to them they have the potential to reach top speed.
Founders, be thoughtful. Bringing in new drivers isn’t always the best move if you’re still in search of PMF or some form of stability. But if you’ve got a steady path and some breathing room, they can be a valuable part of the team. With the right guidance, they can grow fast and be moulded into your very own Dream Driver.
Chapter 3: Closing Thoughts
You’re not born a driver or a passenger. The roles we take on are shaped by the decisions we make and the mentality we’re surrounded with throughout childhood, education, and our careers. Over time, these influences shape how we operate on the road.
There are countless permutations of drivers out there, and many people (myself included) find themselves shifting between styles depending on the day or situation. Some may also carry traits from multiple types at once.
This post isn’t a comprehensive guide to every personality in the startup world. It’s a snapshot of the ones I’ve found most impactful - and most relevant to my own experience.
The Highway Analogy
While I’ve been writing this post, I’ve been thinking deeply about this highway analogy. It lines up in ways I didn’t expect.
Public transport perfectly fits the corporate route. There’s a set route, a trained driver, and there’s a schedule. It’s safe - you’ll eventually get somewhere and you’re in the same boat as everyone else, moving at the same pace.
But if you’re on the highway, you’re steering. You choose your lane, your speed, your route. You’ll get lost sometimes, you might even spin out every now and then, but you’re the one driving.
To the bus passengers reading this: you can always press the stop button and hop into your own car to continue the journey.
What Are You Driving Towards?
I’ve also been thinking a lot about trying to answer this question: “What is everyone driving towards?”
It’s easy to say “success”, but I do not think that success is a single destination.
This is something I’ve debated endlessly with my mother and we landed on the concept that success is a formula that is tailored to each individual on Earth. It’s a few variables you can tune based on who you are and what you want. That’s it. I’ve been thinking about writing a blog post recounting our deep discussions about this formula… maybe I’ll get to that one day.
I like to picture a massive junction at the end of this highway. Dozens of exits. All leading somewhere different with thousands of vehicles lining up to choose which exit to take.
Just remember - life has many weird twists and turns. And the exit you think you’re hurtling towards now might not be the one you decide to take at the very end.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to share your own thoughts or experiences, don’t hesitate to get in touch.