The monk and the riddle
by Randy Komisar, Kent L. Lineback · first published 2000
75% recommend25% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Business book on passion versus pursuit in startups, using a personal-story frame to press the question of what work you would commit the rest of your life to; recommended for aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"Silicon Valley is filled with garage-to-riches stories and hot young entrepreneurs with big ideas. Yet even in this place where the exceptional is common, Randy Komisar is a breed apart. Currently a "Virtual CEO" who provides "leadership on demand" for several renowned companies, Komisar was recently described by the Washington Post as a "combined professional mentor, minister without portfolio, in-your-face investor, trouble-shooter and door opener." But even more interesting than what he does is how -- and why -- he does it. Komisar has found a way to turn an ambitious and challenging work
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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I think this is an interesting topic. Most likely it's been done already. Anyway, here's my list: - Monk and the Riddle- Randy Komisar (You HAVE to read this, it puts it in the right perspective. Randy is a genius) - Paypal Wars - Founders at Work- Jessica Livingston
on “Best Books For a Startup?” ↗Book recommendation: The Monk and the Riddle by Randy Komisar. He's a partner at KPCB, but he warns against taking the "deferred life plan." I am loathe to call any Harvard Business School Press book "life changing" but this is one that does open…
on “Ask YC: If you had a choice between doing something creative vs highly profitable, which would you choose?” ↗I enjoyed Randy Komisar's "The Monk and the Riddle." The core message I took away from the book is that that your passion should not be just for "entrepreneurship" or "start-ups" but rather how an idea or company can make a real difference to people.
on “Ask HN: Inspirational books on entrepreneurship” ↗The Monk and the Riddle by Randy Komisar I'd say it's a must read for any aspiring entrepreneur. It gives you a lot of perspective and a decent introductory exposure to the process.
on “Ask hackers: what books have you read lately and would recommend me?” ↗Non-tech books, I read and liked in 2013: Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau Anything Your Want by Derek Sivers The Monk and the Riddle by Randy Komisar Are You a Stock or a Bond? by Moshe Milevsky The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2013” ↗So true, and fully agree and love the quote by Randy Komisar from his book, The Monk and the Riddle: “At key points in my life, I’ve found it helpful to ask myself a simple question about what I was doing at that moment: What would it take for you to be willing to spend the rest of your life on [it]?”
on “Startups are the new deferred life plan” ↗"The Monk and the Riddle" by Randy Komisar
on “Ask YC: Entrepreneurial/Startup Reading List?” ↗The Monk and the Riddle - Randy Komisar
on “Ask HN: Great book that you read recently?” ↗This is the central question from Randy Kosmimar's book 'The Monk and The Riddle', definitely worth reading. Share your projects, thoughts, feelings, and goals. This is the most important question for your daily productivity, happiness, and contribution.
on “Ask HN: What Are You Willing To Do For The Rest of Your Life? ” ↗I'd also highly recommend The Monk and the Riddle - I don't think I've ever seen it suggested elsewhere, but I recommend it to everyone. I found PayPal Wars to be a bit dull, and the author a bit smug.
on “Best Books For a Startup?” ↗I love this article and if you have not read "the monk and the riddle" please please do so. It should have a great impact on you. I felt like I had become a mercenary CEO in a missionary CEO's clothing at my last startup. That's when I left. I was passionate about being…
on “Missionary CEO's v. Mercenary CEO's” ↗Read his book "The monk and the riddle". I promise you it will mean a lot and quite possibly change your life.
on “Want to succeed? Try failing” ↗Awesome to see "The Monk and the Riddle" referenced, it should be required reading for startup people.
on “Why I abandoned my startup” ↗If you have never read The Monk and The Riddle, I would highly suggest it. The experiences that are shared and the story that is woven lends some really good perspective on our lack of an ability to focus on what is important now versus what will…
on “Sometimes, it’s just time to go home” ↗…where the greatest number of vital forces unite in their purest energy? To burn always with this hard, gem like flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." Quoted from Randy Komisar's "The Monk and the Riddle"
on “Ask HN: Favorite inspiring quotes or verses?” ↗