The David vs. Goliath Approach to Motivation

Does your startup have an enemy?

It can be real or imagined, but nothing motivates a team more than having a large and menacing opponent or rival.

Having an enemy creates a sense of purpose and drive. When you identify a bigger, more well-resourced rival, you will motivate the team to rally against it and find inspiration in being the underdog.

→This enemy can be a real competitor (Apple vs. Microsoft)

→It can also be against an imagined rival or concept (Tesla vs. fossil fuels)

→It can even be an old way of doing things (Slack vs. email)

Framing the situation in terms of a David vs. Goliath battle ignites a spirit within the team. It creates a clear and obvious target for the team to focus their efforts on. It also helps foster a sense of unity and camaraderie with your team members, as they share a common goal of defeating the enemy.

This unity can strengthen teamwork, collaboration, and resilience in the face of challenges.

For most startups, there are plenty of bigger and badder rivals. The hardest part for most founders is picking only one.