Entrepreneurs: The 'Business' Gene
Susan Adams, 05.04.11, 06:00 PM EDTForbes Magazine dated May 23, 2011
Is success passed along from one generation to the next?
What accounts for entrepreneurial talent in parents and some of their children--chromosomes or care and feeding? Both? That question may never be resolved with certainty. But in kicking off father-child conversations in eight families, we learned a great deal about characteristics shared among generations. Business is more than a common interest between dads and their kids. It forms an intimate bond that engages ambition, achievement, competition, criticism, fear, failure, reconciliation, growth, renewal. In other words, it reenacts the high drama of family life.
Now my thoughts....
When beginning to go through our mountain of mail today, I pulled out an envelope with my name and address very neatly handwritten. I recognized the handwriting immediately and then confirmed by one of my Dad’s company addresses in the return mail space.
I anxiously ripped it open to see what he had to say. Inside was a handwritten note about the article included at the top of the page and a flyer from the VA about the “MyHealtheVet” initiative at the VA (Veterans Administration) that he recently received.
My Dad and I have always had this wonderful understanding of each other. This plus my mother’s unconditional love I believe are two significant factors that have allowed me to be able to look at the world differently and to have the courage to try to change the things that I believe could be better – like healthcare.
The Forbes’ article asks the question if there is such thing as an “e –gene”; funny, because “e” to me is both for “entrepreneur” and for the “e-lectronic age”. Most of you probably know that I consider myself an “e-health activist”, just to put the “e” into context.
I do believe that there is an “e-gene” and that the “e-gene” needs the right environment to be turned-on. I am thankful for both of my parents every day for their “genes” and their love, support, and their commitment and drive to push me to be the best that I can be.
Would love to hear what you think about the “e-gene”…. Tell us what you think!
