I was reading an article where somebody wrote that people who get high marks in school are less likely to suceed in entrepreneurship.
He suggested A students can only get their achievement by seeking approval from teachers, which translated to seeking approval by their boss.
Whereas entrepreneurs suceed without the approval of others, and often take risks without fear. The guy also wrote that such students would look to making mony, rather than simply seeking approval.
What do you think? A legit argument, or flawed? I’m uncertain myself; on one hand, A students do some some intelligence, and not all academic failures can suceed in business. However, I think the point about risk-taking and seeking approval of others is pretty valid.
Entrepreneurship is the only way to be successful? News to me.
The argument assumes facts not in evidence. Not all students who achieve high grades do so in an attempt to gain praise from their parents and teachers, just as not all students who do poorly are doing so to spite their parents and teachers. A few of each, yes, but in my experience, far from the majority.
Did the author provide any data whatsoever supporting his theory, or was he making up things that sounded kind of good at the time?
Personal experience tends to bear out the theory. My business partner and I might be good examples. I nearly failed out of college, and he never went. But we both tend to seek out the challenge of high-risk, high-reward situations. Havent succeeded yet, since we are still in R&D. But that attitude is probably behind our ever having thought of the idea to begin with.
In law school, a popular mantra was that the “B” and “C” students go on to become the most competent and successful lawyers, while “A” students become the most competent and successful law professors.
I was very self-conscious and disappointed in myself over my “C+” average at graduation, but maybe it means better things are ahead!
Ergo, BOTH classes went on to success… in distinct spheres of activity.
The thing is, in spite of the thread title, the CONTENT of the OP is narrowly-specific to the field of entrepeneurship. It says nothing of the fields of academia, art/literature, basic research, service and technical professions, etc.
However, these little phrases:
“A students can only get their achievement by seeking approval from teachers”
“on one hand, A students do some [sic: show?] some intelligence”
Show an appalling disregard for the idea that someone with high academic talent will get As from hard study and work because they believe in the pursuit of excellence at the talent they have been endowed with by fate, nature or God. Like Mr2001 said, "A"student is NOT the same thing as “nerd”. And ** “can only”**?!?!?!? How condescending is that? (what, and the jocks/cheerleaders/fratboys/etc don’t care what others think of them?)
I’m not sure what you are trying to prove here. Gates was a college drop out.
In any event, I have known straight A students and mediocre students who are now hugely successful. I have also known both types of students who are now doing poorly. In my experience, school grades are not a very good indicator of future success.
He’s definitely a nerd, though, which is why I drew a distinction between nerds and “A” students. I’ve always been pretty geeky, but I was far from an “A” student in high school - precisely because I didn’t care about impressing anyone with my grades. I was content with “You have so much potential, now if only you would turn in your homework. C+”