Bearing, Belittling, or Befriending Doubt: Understanding Doubt’s Generative versus Corrosive Effect on Entrepreneurs’ Early-Stage Idea Validation

Doubt in the early-stage entrepreneurial process is pervasive. However, we argue that our understanding of the types of doubt individuals experience during entrepreneurial action—and how their responses to these doubts affect their ability to determine the value of their ideas and remain committed to this goal—remains incomplete. When entrepreneurs set out to validate their ideas, doubt is typically framed in one of two ways: as corrosive or as generative. In both perspectives, the focus is on idea-related doubts, overlooking the possibility that once entrepreneurial action commences, self-related doubts about one’s abilities or motivation may resurface. Furthermore, while the generative approach provides valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can engage with idea doubts, it tells us little about why some individuals can do so while others may not. To address these questions, we followed early-stage entrepreneurs weekly during an incubation program. We found that they experienced not only idea-related but also self-related doubts. Their responses to these doubts—namely embracing, downplaying, or normalizing them—shaped their ability to make progress toward their goal and influenced their commitment to it. Ultimately, this commitment was underpinned by the emergence of three distinct orientations toward expending further goal-directed effort: mastering, curtailing, or yearning.