This book imparted a series of invaluable lessons once I started reading it through a dynamic lens. Instead of reading about the elements of what makes a startup evolve into a successful company, I read the book as if Peter was talking about how a person builds a successful career. So when the book asked the question “What valuable company is no one building?” If I reframe this question it becomes, “How can I provide unique value to others that no one else is providing?” This thought process may be obvious to some people, but changing the statements he makes, and the questions he asks toward myself in this manner made this book a deeper read.

The most impactful instance of my approach to the book came in chapter 11, titled If You Build It, Will They Come? This chapter helped me realize I need to act as a salesperson for myself. I have held the naïve sentiment that all salespeople fall into the “slimy” stereotype, but I realized this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. A central idea of the book is to create a company that can provide unique value to its customers. If we can apply this idea to an individual, the idea becomes to create an individual who can provide value to those around him in a unique way. If I can prove that I can provide value and move into an arrangement from which both parties benefit, I can circumvent any slimy feelings I may have toward selling myself.