Think Independently, Then Sell It

Entrepreneurship is hard to teach because original thinking is hard to teach. School trains you to follow, but the valuable skill is generating ideas from first principles and figuring out what to do in situations that seem to have no solution. You build it by practicing: form ideas, test them cheaply in the real world, fail, adjust.

Independent thought alone isn't enough. All great careers require some form of sales: convincing investors, recruits, customers, and press of what you believe. Sales isn't a sleazy add-on, it's how conviction spreads.

Altman's advice on persuasion is plain: the best way to communicate clearly is to first make your thinking clear, then use plain, concise language. Build a track record of being right, and show up in person when it matters. If a call would change everything, get on the plane.