In a recent entrepreneurial workshop, a group of aspiring founders found themselves stuck. Faced with a challenging scenario, they hesitated—not for lack of intelligence, but for fear of being wrong.

They circled around the issue, weighed all options, analyzed every angle. But as the facilitator pointed out, ruminating on a decision doesn’t move a business forward.

This wasn’t just a classroom exercise. It mirrored a common real-world problem: the paralysis that occurs when people confuse perfection with progress.

Learning vs. Being Right

One of the most poignant moments came when the facilitator asked, “What matters more to you: learning or being right?”

That question hit a nerve.

The room, filled with talented individuals, began to reflect. Many realized that, subconsciously, they had been performing to impress, not to grow. And yet, as any entrepreneur learns the hard way, building a business isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the guts to act despite uncertainty.

Why Fast, Imperfect Decisions Matter

In entrepreneurship, speed matters. Markets shift, competitors move, customers change their minds. A slow, “perfect” decision made too late is worth far less than a fast one that can be corrected along the way.

The group was reminded of a critical concept: decisions are meant to be directional, not definitive. Momentum can create clarity, while inertia only breeds doubt.

One participant put it well, “The longer we wait, the more we lose the chance to learn from reality.”

The Real Test: Execution

Ultimately, entrepreneurship rewards those who do. As the conversation progressed, the group shifted its mindset. They began choosing actions and building from there—not by waiting for the perfect insight, but by trusting they could adapt, iterate, and improve.

What emerged was not just a better solution to the case, but a more powerful lesson: the courage to make imperfect decisions is a core entrepreneurial skill.