When a Little Fear Is Good, but Too Much Is a Warning

Q:  I’ve been offered a position with a technology startup inside the corporation where I work. The opportunity sounds exciting, but also frightening. I’m nervous in case it—or I—fail.

A:  The answer of what you should do depends upon how much fear you feel. It’s normal to have some anxiety because of the possibility that either you or the business will fail. That shows you’re a realist. However, if you are feeling high anxiety—stomach churning, can’t sleep at night, and obsessing over the pros and cons—then this level of fear tells you the opportunity is not for you.

Assuming that you’re only feeling a little nervousness, there are some other things about the opportunity to consider before you make a decision:

• How does the startup compare with the culture of the corporation? Has the company undertaken these types of ventures before? If so, you can learn a lot from the experience of previous ones.
• If this is something totally new at the company, does the culture allow a few “wild ducks” to survive? In other words, is management patient with innovative ideas?
• Is the startup supported at the top of the organization? Has a strong, recognized leader been put in charge of it? In company newsletters and on the employee website, is there an emphasis on innovation and creativity? Has the chairman made speeches on these themes or mentioned them in the annual report to shareholders?
• Will this venture operate alongside the existing business, or will it be a “skunk works,” as they say in the aerospace industry—meaning completely separate, independent, and strictly confidential. With a “skunk works,” there would only be a remote chance of returning to the main organization. While you are on the project, you will have no contact with your regular cohorts, and when you do see them you will be held to the highest level of confidentiality.
• Is this a business model or proposition that you believe in? If not, there is no reward (financial or otherwise) that can offset your doubts or concerns.
• Is the risk you face offset by a commensurate reward—both financially and in terms of learning new skills and expanding future career opportunities?

Early on in my career, I had to weigh these same issues after I was offered a chance to be part of a new venture that was a dramatic departure for my company. Everything was going to be new: the design, distribution, pricing models, and even manufacturing, which was going to be outsourced instead of handled in-house.

For me, it meant a departure from a fairly predictable career path. The tradeoff was the educational opportunity and the experience I would gain. I would have exposure to new parts of the company, work with a new team of people, and have greater access to top management. These factors were more of a motivation than any financial reward I was offered.

Although my company had not undertaken a startup like this in the past, I knew the venture was well supported by top management. Besides, it looked like fun! Eventually that startup became a very successful division. For me, personally, in time it led to new opportunities.

Not all startups have such a positive outcome. Therefore, taking these steps requires some introspection, especially about your risk tolerance. By engaging in that exercise, you will learn something valuable about yourself; for example, whether you thrive in a startup or do your best work in a more predictable environment.

Equally enlightening is the fact that someone asked you to consider becoming part of a startup, which means you have shown some interesting aptitudes and abilities. Even if the new job is not for you, how might you apply your knowledge, interests, and experiences in other ways in the organization?

No matter how good an opportunity looks, it has to be a fit for you. If the startup makes you a little nervous, but the excitement outweighs your apprehension, then go for it. However, if you are truly frightened because you believe you’ll be going out on a limb, then this job is not for you.

 Your Extraordinary Career features proven success strategies and advice for recent graduates and young professionals from William J. White, who draws upon a successful corporate career, including as Chairman and CEO of a New York Stock Exchange-traded company.  Bill is now Professor at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University, and author of the career book for young professionals, ­From Day One: CEO Advice to Launch an Extraordinary Career.

Got a question? Email Bill White at Bill@FromDayOne.com