The Spaghetti Western Entrepreneur

Survival Lessons from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

• 14.11.2024

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is often celebrated as a thrilling journey, but the reality is far more complex and frequently less glamorous than social media suggests. Overwhelmed with uncertainty, decision fatigue, and isolation, I can't help but draw parallels between the entrepreneur's journey and the characters in Sergio Leone's 1967 classic The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly-my favorite film-as they navigate an unforgiving landscape where every choice carries weight, adding stress and risking costly missteps with alliances that too often fall short of their promises.

Approaching a decade in business as a co-founder, I've guided my company through the highs and lows of launching our SaaS offering and witnessed firsthand how these themes play out in the business world. Over the years, we've partnered with clients, vendors, and consulting firms who initially promised world-changing collaborations, only for those partnerships to fizzle out and end in failure and mediocrity. While every failure offers valuable lessons, it also drains resources, morale, and countless hours of recovery as you regroup, re-strategize, and strive to avoid making the same mistakes twice.

In our experience, underestimating the added challenge of entering emerging markets, where road maps and guides are often non-existent, can be overwhelming. In uncharted waters, you're left to make critical, navigational decisions with little support, learning as you go. The weight of each decision, along with its consequences, rests entirely on you. The difference between high quality and mediocrity often comes down to your ability to carve out extra time each day to document and absorb these lessons, all while lacking the luxury of seasoned advisors or a clear path.

In this light, Leone's masterpiece The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is more than just entertainment-it offers lessons that deeply resonate in business. In the film, trust is scarce, focus is essential, and success requires navigating moral gray areas while bearing the burdens of solitude and uncertainty. The strategic alliances born of necessity, the importance of playing the long game, and the reality of unreliable partners reflect the same struggles we've faced growing our business. Timing, risk management, and navigating uncertainty aren't just scenes in a Western; they are the foundations of survival for any entrepreneur in a competitive market.

In this article, we explore the lessons embodied by each of the film's protagonists-Blondie, Angel Eyes, and Tuco-three opportunists on a gold search, set against the backdrop of the U.S. Civil War. We'll uncover insights that every business leader can apply today, whether dealing with unreliable partnerships, client relationships gone sour, or finding the strength to stand alone in the face of uncertainty.

The Good: Strategy, Patience, and Long-Term Vision

Blondie, the 'Good' is the epitome of patience and long-term strategy. He never rushes into a situation, always thinking several steps ahead and carefully assessing his surroundings before making a move. Blondie's ability to keep his cool and play the long game is what ultimately sets him apart from his rivals-and it's a lesson that applies directly to business. In the chaotic world of entrepreneurship, where uncertainty and shifting circumstances are the norm, it's not enough to act impulsively. Success comes from having a clear vision and staying committed to it, no matter how slow or challenging the process might be.

In our nine years of business, we've learned that strategy is critical-and it can't be a one-time conversation. Just as Blondie continually reassesses his next move, we've found that strategy must be constantly reviewed, communicated, refined, and re-aligned at every level of the organization. Whether it's market changes, unexpected client demands, or shifts in technology, the ability to remain focused on the long-term while adapting to immediate challenges has been key to our survival and growth. Patience, coupled with a clear, flexible strategy, has helped us navigate the ups and downs, ensuring that we stay on course even when the path is difficult.

Although we've had to pivot many times over the years, our core value proposition has remained constant from day one. It's through feedback and engagement from our customers, as well as our interactions in the marketplace, that we've made small but important adjustments to our offering. These refinements have kept us aligned with our customers' needs without straying from our strategic vision. We've seen many businesses rise and fall around us, often because their founders lacked the strategic vision or the patience to stay the course. Quick wins can be enticing, but those who jump from one shiny new opportunity to another without a long-term view tend to lose sight of their mission-and eventually, they falter.

The lesson from Blondie is clear: stick to your strategy, even when circumstances challenge you to waver. Pivot where necessary, but let your vision be the anchor that guides all decisions. In a world where entrepreneurship is often a test of endurance as much as creativity, patience and persistence are as important as innovation and agility.

The Bad: Shameless, Cutthroat Opportunism

Angel Eyes, 'The Bad', is the embodiment of ruthless opportunism-someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, switching allegiances and morals based on who can pay him the most. His actions throughout the film reveal a willingness to betray, manipulate, and exploit any situation to his advantage. He is the stereotype of the cold, cutthroat competitor, willing to play dirty in order to get ahead.

In the business world, Angel Eyes is a character we encounter more often than we care to admit. He represents the type of competitor who has no qualms about using underhanded tactics to secure their position. Just as Angel Eyes will flip allegiances based on the highest bidder, many in business are willing to change sides for the right price-whether by shifting loyalty to a new partner, client, or undercutting a previous commitment in pursuit of greater rewards.

As entrepreneurs, it's crucial to recognize these behaviours and stay alert. Over the years, we've seen relationships shift in the blink of an eye-one day a promising partner or client, the next an unreliable player pivoting to serve their own agenda. These sudden shifts can be jarring, leaving us questioning not only the stability of our business relationships but also the integrity of those we work with.

Successful entrepreneurs need to stay vigilant against individuals like Angel Eyes-those who may appear trustworthy one moment but are ready to switch sides the next without explanation. It's essential to protect your business and intellectual property, but also to develop a keen sense of who you can truly rely on. The lesson is clear: being alert, setting boundaries reinforced with documented processes and policies, and managing relationships with care can help you navigate the treacherous waters of business competition.

The Ugly: The Cost of Ambition and the Struggle for Redemption

Tuco, 'The Ugly', is a complex character, shaped by the harsh circumstances of being cast out by his family when he turned to crime as a way to escape poverty. While his actions throughout the film reflect greed and self-preservation, there are moments when a deep kindness, lost long ago, surfaces. Despite choosing a life of crime to survive, Tuco is not inherently evil; his actions are the result of the hardships he has endured as a 'sole proprietor' in a world that is cold, brutal, and stacked against him. This inner conflict-between his desire to do good and the harsh reality of his life choices-mirrors the struggle many entrepreneurs face: the relentless pursuit of success at the cost of personal relationships and moral compromises.

In the business world, this relentless drive to build an empire often forces individuals to make difficult, and sometimes regrettable, decisions. Entrepreneurs, like Tuco, may find themselves in situations where they must choose between their moral compass and the demands of success. Over time, the pressures of competition, financial strain, and the need for survival can lead to strained relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. The ugly side of entrepreneurship is not always a lack of integrity; it's the toll that an obsession with success can take on our personal lives. Tuco's story serves as a powerful reminder that, while striving for greatness, we must not lose sight of our humanity. His moments of mercy show that, even in the toughest circumstances, there is always a chance for redemption-a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs navigating the treacherous waters of business and relationships.

In my first year as an entrepreneur, someone once told me, "Don't become an asshole." At the time, I found it comical, but over the years, I've come to understand the deeper meaning behind that advice. I've learned that there's a difference between textbook business intelligence and street smarts, and I often advise younger entrepreneurs to be prepared for disappointment, broken relationships, and hard lessons while building their empire. Unfortunately, this is part of the price of success.

The Duality of the Entrepreneurial Journey

As we look at the three characters-Blondie, Angel Eyes, and Tuco-each embodying different aspects of the entrepreneurial journey, it's clear that success in business is rarely straightforward. Blondie reminds us of the importance of strategy, patience, and vision; Angel Eyes shows the darker side of ambition and the moral compromises we may face along the way; and Tuco reveals the emotional toll that the relentless pursuit of success can take on our personal relationships and sense of self.

Entrepreneurship is often about balancing these competing forces: long-term goals versus short-term gains, integrity versus ambition, personal happiness versus professional success. What we learn from these characters is that it's essential to keep sight of our humanity, maintain our moral compass, and recognize that while success is important, the journey-how we navigate challenges, treat others, and preserve meaningful relationships-is just as critical.

As we continue to build our businesses, let us be mindful of the lessons these iconic characters impart. Striving for greatness is a noble pursuit, but we must never forget the importance of staying true to ourselves, treating others with respect, and recognizing that redemption is always possible-even in the face of difficult choices.

The road to success may be long, winding, and filled with obstacles, but in the end, it's not just about the empire we build-it's about the person we become along the way.