I was reading the book titled “Thinking Like Atatürk” and I really liked this section.
Regarding the mention of buildings, money and environmental opportunities for new institutions, he replied:
“You are mistaken about what is truly necessary! You are telling me about inanimate materials in the place where you will establish a new institution; whereas you should be telling me about the person! Say, ‘There is an Ali Bey at such-and-such a place’; make me picture him in my mind! If this Ali Bey is the man we want, he will create the building, the money, and the crowd that will gather around him. Do not value stone and soil; value people!”
1933 (From Atatürk, B.H., p.59)
These words, said in 1933, are still valid today. I’ve read countless business books, listened to countless entrepreneurial stories, listened to countless investor interviews; they have all always underlined one common point: “finding the right people.”
Creating value. The key to this passes through the right people. Steve Jobs also had a quote on this subject: “the best people are self-managing; you don’t need to manage them.” It’s so true.
I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of people. The common trait of the best ones was always this: they had a reflex, a drive. A problem-solving drive triggered by reflex. When they faced a problem, instead of saying “let me ask X,” they first listened to their own inner compass and took action.
My personal observation is that these people are generally more inclined to lead and to create value. I believe that those who have the ability to find these kinds of people, or who manage to acquire that ability later on, are the ones who go on to embrace big successes.
Atatürk saw this 90–100 years before today. “If Ali Bey is the right man, he will create the building, the money, and the crowd that will gather around him as well.” When I remember that even now the first thing many VCs look at is the “team,” the value of these words becomes even more meaningful.
In fact, the whole story comes down to the difference between those who, when faced with a problem, say “why bother” and those who can’t rest until they’ve solved it. The important thing is to have that second drive I mentioned. Atatürk knew this. He was looking for it.
