I have a lot of respect for young people who are enterprising. Who go out into the world and create opportunities for themselves and others. Who are quick to spot emerging trends and smart enough to turn them into lucrative businesses. In a country where a majority of young people are wasting their best years preparing for over-hyped government jobs, these people are a breath of fresh air.

But if you work for one, be careful. You need some mental toughness to survive in the world they create. You might think that working for a start-up would be more exciting than working for a big company. Having worked in both settings during my decade-long career in media and communications, I can tell you that an established entity is much better at honoring your rights as an employee than a start-up. up. But you can feel incredibly lost in the first one. They both have their pros and cons.

The first thing to watch out for is the story your employer is telling you. Entrepreneurs are good storytellers. They’ll like you to believe there’s real value in the idea they have and that it serves a larger purpose. Just as religious evangelists and colonialists needed a moral framework to expand their empire, new age entrepreneurs would like to convince you that you have a moral obligation to honor their idea, because it makes the world a better place. Beware of the moral side of the market.

You have no moral obligation to buy into their story or make their vision your life’s mission. Make it clear from the start that what you are exchanging is your skills and not your ability to think as an individual. And if there are moral conflicts with the organization’s worldview and your own personal philosophy, try to create a wider range of opportunities for yourself over a period of time, so you can move on to a place that is of better character. / based on the values ​​for you.

Entrepreneurs like to project that they are democratic in their decision-making process. Having worked with a few, I can tell you with certainty that most of them have dictatorial tendencies and are able to express them in the language of caring and opportunity. They claim to have a collaborative spirit. But collaboration is the last thing on their minds. Don’t dream of jam-ideas. Get ready to create loads of productivity charts. When it comes to accountability, you will have an illusion of power, but when it comes to real executive powers, you will always have your hands tied.

Most entrepreneurs aren’t looking for amazing ideas. They are already in love with the one they built their business on. Keep your ideas and comments to yourself. They are looking for good managers. Improve your management skills to survive in these places. These spots are good practice grounds for you to handle multiple verticals. I did it when I was 25 and this training still helps me today.

This keeps you relevant in the job market and expands your ability to do more in less time. If you can write a project report, cold call people, have excellent Excel skills and at the same time manage deadlines and train newcomers, you will survive any crisis. But in the process, don’t lose sight of who you are and where you really want your career to go. These endeavors can wear you down and cause you to lose sight of your goals in life. Get back to who you are by signing up for relevant workshops, networking with the right people, meditating, and devoting at least a few hours to things that satisfy you.

Since most of these entrepreneurs are quite young themselves, it is unlikely that they have been exposed to working as employees in large organizations for long periods of time. They are generally reluctant to build strong working relationships with their employees. Their main concern is productivity. So prepare to be harshly judged for your skill. Don’t expect hands-on or mentorship. You are pretty much on your own. Again, this provides fertile ground for learning new skills and learning how to solve problems on your own. Additionally, you will lack a cohesive work culture and organizational value system. If you’re a team leader, try creating one for your juniors. Protect them from the chaos of a place without structure.

Initially, I had thought that I would frame the column as an open letter to young entrepreneurs running their small businesses with a motley crew. But what you see would not be fruitful. Smart young people with the right connections will always create opportunities for themselves. They probably know what they’re doing. They quickly spot trends and move on to the next big thing. They are highly motivated and extremely hardworking. So, there’s no beating them at their game. They wrap things up with the same enthusiasm to start one. If today is a fitness app they are interested in or an ed-tech company they want to invest in, then they would do something around cryptocurrency. We, the employees, must in the meantime be properly oriented to work with them and protect ourselves against the feeling of cheating or burnout. Negotiate hard, hold firm without hostility. Know that they need you as much as you need them. Your work experience and skills are valuable to them.

Posted: Sunday, April 24, 2022, 07:00 IST