Everyone Had a Village

There’s a funny thing about the way we talk about successful people.

We like the idea that they did it themselves.

The founder who had the idea in their bedroom. The entrepreneur who started with nothing. The genius who saw something nobody else could see.

It makes a great story.

But when you actually look at the people behind some of the biggest ideas, there’s usually another story sitting underneath it.

Benjamin Franklin had the Junto, a small group of people who met regularly to debate ideas, share knowledge and help one another.

Einstein had the Olympia Academy, where he and his closest friends would sit around discussing science, philosophy and whatever else they were interested in.

Pixar had the Braintrust. A group of trusted people whose job was to challenge the work and make it better.

Different people. Different times. Completely different circumstances.

But the same idea.

They had somewhere to think, and someone to think with.

I think we’ve forgotten how important that is.

As founders, we spend an enormous amount of time surrounded by people. Employees. Clients. Investors. Suppliers. Partners.

And yet, strangely, we can still feel completely alone.

Because sometimes you don't need another person working for you.

You need someone who understands what you're trying to do, has no agenda, and can simply say:

“Have you thought about it this way?”

Maybe the great people weren’t great because they did everything themselves.

Maybe they were great because they knew who to surround themselves with.

Everyone had a village.

Maybe we just forgot we needed one.