The term “peacocking,” which is borrowed from the avian world, refers to when a peacock displays its vibrant feathers to impress or attract a mate or intimidate predators. The Octopus, on the other hand, tries to avoid attention, and many octopus species can camouflage themselves incredibly well, blending into their surroundings to the point of becoming nearly invisible.
As startup founders we have all been conditioned to be the Peacock, but maybe we have it all wrong. As someone deeply embedded in this ecosystem, I’ve witnessed the allure of peacocking and the subsequent pitfalls it entails.
Camouflaging true potential
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen startups get lost in their own siren call of appearance with slick presentations, boastful narratives, a focus on physical attractiveness, and radiating a vision of success. I have seen these presentations and been myself momentarily hypnotized. But, as the dazzle wears off, the harsh reality of a lacking product or market emerges. It just takes a question or two from someone knowledgeable to get to the bottom of the startup and the misdirection in which it’s engaged. The stripping away of this veneer doesn’t merely tarnish the startup but also sows seeds of doubt across the entire entrepreneurial landscape.
Misdirecting investors
For many startups the lifeline is its investors. Yet, what if these investors are presented with a vision blurred by the shimmer of peacock feathers? Entranced by superficial allure, investors pour capital into ventures that seem stellar but then crumble as soon as something real needs to be done. This isn’t just detrimental to your startup; it skews the entire investment paradigm, fostering skepticism and wariness. I understand that you might be thinking that you want to be one of these startups that’s able to raise funding by finessing investors, but I’d argue that this is a form of fraud.
Cultural depth and authenticity
The heart and soul of any startup is its culture. When glitz overshadows core values, the internal ecosystem stumbles. Swanky perks like fancy outings or haute cuisine might seem enticing, but they’re no substitute for honest communication, trust, and a genuine commitment to employee welfare. In an environment dominated by flashiness, retaining top-tier talent becomes a Sisyphean task. After all, discerning professionals prioritize substance over spectacle.
The peril of over-promising
In their zeal to stand out, many startups set the bar impossibly high, making grandiose promises. But when the deliverables are mere shadows of their promises, disillusionment sets in. Tantalized by visions of groundbreaking transformations, customers and investors are left grappling with modest tweaks. The chasm between claims and reality gradually chips away at trust, making brand-building a Herculean challenge.
Heeding historical warnings
Business archives brim with tales of startups that soared high on promises but plummeted due to a lack of substance. Take Theranos, for instance. With its magnetic leadership and audacious claims, the company was heralded as a medical game-changer. But beneath this lustrous exterior lurked a mosaic of untruths that culminated in Theranos’ spectacular collapse. This was a poignant lesson that superficiality, no matter how entrancing, cannot mask a lack of substance and real value.
It reflects poorly on you
Constantly boasting and showing off can erode your credibility, leading others to not only question the veracity of your extravagant claims but also to doubt your genuine ones. Such frequent bragging can eventually isolate you from peers and colleagues, as most people gravitate towards down-to-earth and genuine interactions. Furthermore, this flashy behavior invites increased scrutiny; any discrepancy between your claims and reality becomes a glaring target. Often, individuals who adopt a “peacocking” approach become objects of ridicule, covertly mocked or mimicked. This showy path also comes with the pressure to perpetually uphold this image, possibly resulting in significant stress and financial woes. Amidst these superficial displays, there’s also a risk of overlooking the chance to forge sincere connections rooted in shared values and interests.
On the flipside, as Golda Meir, Israel’s first and only female prime minister, was keen on saying: “Don’t be so humble – you are not that great.” Meaning that, as an entrepreneur, you really can’t afford to be the Octopus and it’s essential to strike a healthy balance.
