Why is ‘fake it till you make it’ such a common attitude at startups? - Comparably | Comparably

Why is ‘fake it till you make it’ such a common attitude at startups?

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    It’s common because when we are starting out, lots can go wrong. When we say “fake it”, it’s not that we are truly faking it, it’s that we are giving everything we do our best shot with whatever tools are available to us at the given time. This means there is a learning process, and during which, we might improvise or make minor adjustments. In so many ways, it might even feel like we are “faking it” because it is unfamiliar to us and we are learning and figuring it out as we go along. But the mantra, and a perhaps “false” showing of confidence is what keeps the startup business owner smiling and moving forward. In short, It’s a method for recognizing shortfalls, limitations and errors. But we don’t let the customer see those... The “til we make it”, refers to a time in the future when we have worked out those kinks and holes in our process, and we are able to get it perfect 99.999% of the time. It is then that we have true confidence, and are fully knowing what to do.

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    startups often hire young professionals without a lot of experience but with lots of energy so they try new things and iterate a lot in order to be successful

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    They are uncertain if what they are doing is the right thing.

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    I can see pros and cons, the mindset of this is fine , but nobody can live on fake money

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    In many careers, especially startups, at some point the job just needs to get done, regardless if you know fully what you're doing or not. You fake the confidence because you have to.

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    Because if a startup lets doubt slow them down they're guaranteed to fail. It's better to fake it, make a poor choice, and live/learn.

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    Just what it means ...you don’t have the skills, the product or the process so you just act like you do. You really don’t find this in really larger corporations that have been around because you have a track record and reputation to keep that you’ve gained thru client experience and your contacts and network

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    Startups are hard and many fail in their first year. It is a little scary when you have so much invested, so it is better to "look on the bright side" to keep the attitude positive. If you look at the bad side, you increase your chances of failure.

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    because many of job require a long experience which is not possible with the current situation

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    Many startups are on the leading edge of a new technology or an emerging market and the truth is that everyone in that situation is 'faking it' and defining things as they go until things stabilize.

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    Youth and inexperience

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    Probably because there is so much pressure to succeed and fear of failure.

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    Because that's what they sell.

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    hope springs eternal at start ups

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    Because they’re stupid! I never fake it.

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    Moral is everything! Also any investors need to feel positive about their interest in the company.

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    To make businesses seem better than they really are.

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    Start-ups are unknown quantities in the landscape that is the larger market. They're trailblazers. In short, no one "knows" that what they're doing is going to work and without that certainty (which businesses always crave) you are really just banking on an idea with some variable amount of educating guessing behind it. In short - faking it until you make is often the only thing you can do until you build or create some tangible achievements that will help define you to others in the marketplace.

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    Because customers don't want to give work to companies that they are not 100% confident will be able to perform the task.

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    To me, the question implies a disingenuous attitude is common at startups. I'm uncertain such is true, but believe startups are generally at an infantile or immature state until growth or maturity occurs. I also believe such cliche is intended to be a motivator by acknowledging imperfection exists, but "things" will get better.

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    I suppose one has to be in a place where one is already making the startup a "real" long-term business rather than a "new" business. Understand the reasoning but don't really like the cliche.

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    scientifically, our brains can be compromised by our own thoughts and the way we think

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    Because no one will trust a person or a company that isn’t 100-150% sure of what it is they are selling

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    Because it helps you get pass what it is you're going for. It's common to get you in the door or get you motivated.

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    Very common attitude at large tech companies also (think “Google”) The dirty secret of Silicone Valley is how many “imposters” there are. Silicone Valley, like most of the world follows the 80/20 rule; 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Tech is filled with under qualified people in important positions.

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    Because people are in general,lost . But still desire success. And want to fit in, in any new situation.

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    The desire to pursue the dream of their own company leads many startups to “fake it till they make it.”

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    Because human beings love to take shortcuts

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    Employers don’t want to spend the money to train

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    simple Motivation isn’t enough to do the startup job. Startupers have to be smart, but this is rare

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    Probably because it takes time and resources before you have the customer base and data collection to really start drawing powerful and accurate conclusions.

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    The brightest talent doesn't want to work 16 hour days for lower-than-industry pay.

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    No one seems to stay for a long time this is the "training ground"

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    You have to keep trying till you figure out what works. You only "fail" when you give up.

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    Just a metaphor everybody needs to learn the roots of a new employment they have the talent within them but need to know the role of that employer

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    No one likes to show their weakness

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    society has changed the point of focus to the facade

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    You need confidence before anything else and above anything else. You need confidence to start anything,so it must come first.

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    Because sometimes when you don't know what to do, you have to figure it out as you go.

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    New companies ie startups need to present themselves as a Company who knows what they are doing, experienced and stable. Of they don't seem to be those clients and intuitions will not trust them hence will not do business with them. Preventing these startups from growing. One good example is loaning from banks. If they present themselves as newbies, banks will not risk lending them money preventing the startups to do what it has to.