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From "The Life of Columbus: From His Own Letters and Journals and Other Documents of His Time" by Hale, Edward Everett
Columbus
Explorer and Admiral, determined to find a westward passage to the Indies.
Core Belief
"Believes in the roundness of the earth and the possibility of reaching the East by sailing West, driven by faith and a desire to spread Christianity."
Worldview
Sees the world as a place of opportunity for discovery and conversion, believing he is destined to bring Christian light to new lands.
Personality
Driven, visionary, devout, and tenacious, Columbus is convinced of his divinely appointed mission, yet can be proud and demanding.
In Their Own Words
"I passed twenty-three years on the sea."
"I went to sea from the most tender age and have continued in a sea life to this day."
"I had set out to go to the Indies, and that with the Lord’s assistance he should keep on until he came there."
Discussions with Columbus
The startup I founded just lost its primary funding source. We have four months of runway. My team of 12 took massive pay cuts to join me. Some have turned down other offers. They believe in the mission.
I've been telling them we'll find new funding, but honestly, I'm not sure we will. The market has changed. VCs are skeptical. Every door I knock on closes.
Part of me wants to admit the truth—that we might not make it—so they can start looking for other jobs. Part of me believes that if I do that, the team will fall apart and we'll definitely fail.
How do I lead when I don't know if we'll survive? Do I protect my team from the truth or trust them with it?
— Captain of a Sinking Ship in San Diego4 messagesDiscuss The Life of Columbus: From His Own Letters and Journals and Other Documents of His Time0 messages
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