Embracing the Pirate and Hunter Mindset: What my Father taught me and Robin Sharma on Forging Your Own Path in Entrepreneurship

Introduction

“You don’t learn to walk by following rules.” — Richard Branson

These words strike a chord deep within me, echoing the philosophies that have shaped my journey as an entrepreneur. My approach to life and business has been profoundly influenced by a few pivotal figures: my father, my mentors and recently Robin Sharma. They instilled in me the courage to challenge the status quo, while Robin Sharma’s latest book, “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy,” introduced me to the empowering concept of the “pirate” mindset.

I love using metaphors. ??

In this blog, I want to share how embracing the mindsets of a pirate and a hunter—guided by wisdom—can empower entrepreneurs, startup founders, and sellers to transcend traditional boundaries and achieve remarkable success.

The Pirate Mindset in Entrepreneurship

Breaking Away from the Norm

My fascination with the pirate mindset was ignited after reading Robin Sharma’s “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy.” Sharma describes pirates not just as outlaws of the sea, but as individuals who defy conventional norms to seek their own fortunes and truths. This resonated with my father’s long-held belief that “If you follow the crowd, you’ll only get as far as the crowd goes.” He taught me that true innovation comes from questioning the accepted way of doing things.

When I launched my first startup,I followed this mantra. Instead of adhering strictly to industry norms, I will look for gaps and inefficiencies that others overlooked, ensuring it was purposeful. Embracing the pirate mindset allowed me to break away from the norm, leading to innovative solutions that set my company apart.

Charting Your Own Course

Your journey is your own, so chart it boldly. This aligns perfectly with the portrayal of pirates as master navigators of uncharted territories. They don’t wait for maps; they create them.

Inspired by this, I took bold steps in my entrepreneurial journey. One pivotal moment was deciding to pivot my startup’s focus based on emerging trends I was passionate about. Despite skepticism from peers, trusting my instincts—an approach championed by the wisdom I had attained—proved to be the right move, leading to exponential growth and new opportunities.

The Hunter’s Instinct in Business

The Art of Pursuit

Be a skilled hunter: focus, patience, tenacity and precision. Draw parallels between hunting and business, emphasise the importance of understanding your environment and seizing the right moment to act.

In sales and negotiations, I’ve applied this hunter’s instinct by thoroughly researching prospects, adapting and timing my pitches strategically. This approach has led to higher success rates and stronger client relationships. It’s about being deliberate, tenacious and calculated—qualities that complement the pirate’s boldness with strategic finesse.

Seizing Opportunities

Opportunities must be seized them when they appear. This hunter’s readiness is essential in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.

When a sudden market shift created a demand for services we were uniquely positioned to offer, I didn’t hesitate. Mobilising quickly, we capitalised on the opportunity—a move that significantly boosted our company’s profile and revenue. It’s this blend of the pirate’s daring and the hunter’s precision that makes for a powerful approach in business.

Learning by Doing—Beyond the Rules

The Limitations of Conventional Wisdom

Rules provide structure, they shouldn’t become barriers to creativity and growth. A mentor once said, “Sometimes you have to step outside the rules to find what’s truly possible."

Embracing this philosophy, I adopted a more experimental approach in my business endeavours. Willingness to test new ideas, be pivotable—even if they went against conventional practices—led to breakthroughs that traditional methods wouldn’t have uncovered.

Real-World Learning

Experience is the best teacher. I encourage you to view failures not as setbacks but as valuable lessons.

Early in my career, a project I spearheaded didn’t yield the results I hoped for. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I analysed what went wrong and used those insights to improve future initiatives. This resilience and commitment to learning have been critical to my development as an entrepreneur.

Applying the Pirate and Hunter Approach to Selling

Unconventional Sales Strategies

In sales, my father and mentors taught me the power of authenticity over scripted pitches: People connect with people, not scripts. This aligns with the pirate’s disdain for rigid structures and the preference for genuine, human connections.

Taking this to heart, I focused on building real relationships with clients. By understanding their unique needs and tailoring solutions accordingly, I differentiated myself in a crowded marketplace and built a loyal customer base.

Building Genuine Connections

I cannot stress the importance of empathy and active listening: To truly help someone, you must first understand them. This hunter’s insight into the environment and the prey is crucial.

By applying this principle, I not only improved my sales performance but also forged lasting partnerships. These relationships often led to referrals and opportunities that might not have arisen through traditional sales tactics.

Conclusion

The lessons my father taught me—the rebellious spirit of the pirate inspired by Robin Sharma, and the strategic focus of the hunter—have profoundly shaped my entrepreneurial journey. By breaking free from restrictive norms and pursuing my goals with determination and insight, I’ve navigated challenges and achieved successes that might have seemed out of reach.

Call to Action

I encourage you to reflect on your own path. Ask yourself: Are the rules I’m following propelling me forward or holding me back? How can I embrace a pirate’s courage and a hunter’s precision to advance my goals? Don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path; that’s often where the most rewarding adventures begin.

Closing Thoughts

Innovation doesn’t come from following the crowd; it comes from those who dare to forge their own paths. By adopting the mindsets of the pirate and the hunter—and drawing on the wisdom of mentors like my father and insights from thought leaders like Robin Sharma—you can unlock new possibilities in your entrepreneurial journey.

By sharing these personal reflections and the invaluable lessons from my father and inspirations from “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy,” I hope to inspire you to embrace your own unique path. Remember, you don’t learn to walk by following rules—you learn by taking bold steps into the unknown.