Part 2 of 19 in Trust Yourself: A Guide for Indian Parents← Part 1Part 3 →
I’ve often found myself in a curious position: straddling the worlds of medicine and business, two arenas that, at first glance, seem to be as different as night and day. Yet, as I navigate my dual roles as an IVF specialist and an angel investor, I’m constantly reminded of how much they have in common. The common thread? Trust.
A few weeks ago, I sat with a couple in my clinic. They were anxious, torn between conflicting advice from well-meaning friends, family, and Dr. Google. It wasn’t the medical jargon or the complex procedures that troubled them the most; it was the cacophony of opinions that drowned their inner voice. “Trust yourself,” I told them. “You know more than you think.”
This advice, inspired by the renowned pediatrician Benjamin Spock, isn’t just applicable to bewildered parents. It resonates profoundly in the world of startups. Founders, too, are often bombarded with advice from every conceivable direction. Mentors, investors, market analysts, and even co-founders can become overwhelming voices that drown out the founder’s original vision. In both domains, it’s easy to become paralyzed by the weight of external opinions.
In the Indian startup ecosystem, the pressure can be particularly intense. Indian founders often face the dual expectation of being aggressive ‘tigers’ while also deferring to ‘experts.’ This can lead to a dangerous outsourcing of decision-making, be it to a seasoned investor or a charismatic mentor. But much like parenting, successful entrepreneurship requires a hands-on approach. You need to watch the market, test your assumptions, and adjust your strategies. It involves granting yourself the freedom to make real choices within real limits.
Think of the IVF journey. It requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep trying despite setbacks. Similarly, launching a startup demands that same courage to begin again, even after failures. Both paths are fraught with uncertainty, but they also offer the promise of creation. In both fields, the ability to trust one’s instincts often separates success from failure.
Every founder I’ve backed has taught me something new. One in particular stands out—a young entrepreneur with a bold idea to disrupt traditional education. His initial pitches were met with skepticism, and the experts advised against his approach. Yet, he trusted his vision and persisted. Today, his startup not only thrives but also transforms how students learn across India. His story is a testament to the power of self-belief.
Just as in medicine, where a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works, in investing, it’s essential to recognize that each startup is unique. It’s not merely about following a textbook strategy or mimicking successful models. It’s about understanding the nuances of each situation and adapting accordingly. The same applies to parenting—each child is different, and what works for one might not work for another.
Parenting reels, school WhatsApp groups, and unsolicited advice can make Indian parents feel inadequate. Similarly, founders might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of ‘expert’ opinions. But the real experts are those living the experience day in and day out—the parents who know their child, and the founders who understand their startups’ DNA.
In both fields, there’s a critical moment of realization—knowing when you’re out of your depth. In medicine, it might be recognizing when to refer a patient to a specialist. In startups, it’s about knowing when to pivot or seek help. Trusting yourself also means acknowledging your limitations and seeking guidance when necessary.
Spock’s advice to parents—trust yourself, you know more than you think—remains radical in its simplicity. It challenges the culture of dependency on external validation. Whether you’re nurturing a child or a startup, the principles of watching, learning, and adapting remain the same.
I’ve observed patterns in my practice that are eerily similar to those in the startup world. Just as parents may face feeding battles or educational dilemmas, founders encounter funding challenges and market dynamics. The solutions aren’t always found in manuals or expert advice; often, they lie within the individuals who are willing to trust their judgment and act decisively.
It’s important to remember that trusting yourself doesn’t mean disregarding expert advice altogether. Rather, it’s about integrating that advice into your own understanding and context. In IVF, as in investing, the best outcomes arise from informed decisions made with confidence and clarity.
As I reflect on these parallels, I’m reminded of the conversations I’ve had with patients and founders alike. The courage to trust oneself, to listen to one’s intuition, and to act with conviction is a lesson that transcends domains. Whether in the exam room or the boardroom, it’s this trust that ultimately paves the way for innovation and success.
In the end, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that the journey itself is the reward. The experiences, the failures, and the triumphs all contribute to the tapestry of growth. And as we navigate these paths, perhaps the most radical, yet profoundly simple advice remains: trust yourself. You know more than you think.