The one trait you must have to succeed as a founder

Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit, said “the overarching goal here is to create an environment where people can feel like they are able to be authentic and genuine, right up to the point where we can still have a platform where anyone can feel like they can find their home there.”Credit Matt Edge for The New York Times

The Corner Office column in The Sunday New York Times is a go-to read for me. Always interesting interviews with founders and CEOs.  Today the interview was with Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. He’s an investor as well as entrepreneur. Here’s the question and answer that interested me:

What do you look for in people you invest in?

Relentlessness. In football, the best running backs are relentless. When they get first contact, they will actually drive their legs even harder.

The trait I look for is persistence. Maybe I will change that to relentless persistence.

And as a pro football fan of many decades, I agree with Alexis that the best running back never stop running!

And successful entrepreneurs never take no for answer.

Author: Mentorphile

Mentor, coach, and advisor to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. General manager with significant experience in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Focus on media and information. On founding team of four venture-backed companies. Currently Chairman of Popsleuth, Inc., maker of the Endorfyn app for keeping fans updated on new stuff from their favorite artists. View all posts by Mentorphile