# What Many Entrepreneurs Wish They Had Known Earlier

1 Opinion March 20, 2018 Stern in the News ![Melissa Schilling](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/con_031836.jpg?itok=vL5v1yaG) By Melissa Schilling > When entrepreneurs and innovators come up with breakthrough ideas, it is often difficult for others to understand them.

I’ve researched and taught innovation strategy for 20 years, and I’ve spent a great deal of time advising startups, reviewing business plans and helping people think through their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas along the way. I’ve also witnessed how resulting businesses progressed; many were abandoned, some became modest-sized and a select few soared to multi-million-dollar successes. So how can you increase the likelihood of becoming one of the select few? Here are two important things many entrepreneurs wish someone had told them earlier:

**Don’t expect other people to “get” your big idea**

When entrepreneurs and innovators come up with breakthrough ideas, it is often difficult for others to understand them. Other people don’t see the vision, and they don’t feel the thrill felt by the innovator. They often react with deep skepticism.

Read full article as published by *[StartupNation](https://startupnation.com/books/entrepreneurs-wish-known-earlier/).*
\_\_\_
*Melissa Schilling is a Professor of Management and Organizations.*## More Opinions from Melissa Schilling

- [The Top 4 Reasons Most Acquisitions Fail](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/the-top-4-reasons-most-acquisitions-fail)
- [ 3 Reasons Why Tesla Shareholders Shouldn't Be Scandalized by Elon Musk's Idealism](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/3-reasons-why-shareholders-should-not-be-scandalized-by-musk-idealism)
- [How to Partner with Outside Innovators in Health Care](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/how-to-partner-with-outside-innovators-in-healthcare)
- [Elon Musk Fires Back at Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker Over the Future of Artificial Intelligence](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/elon-musk-fires-back-at-steven-pinker-over-ai)
- [Embrace Weirdness And Creativity May Flourish](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/embrace-weirdness-and-creativity-may-flourish)