(b) Launching projects is probably the best way to learn how to launch projects, rather than a whole bunch of indirect capacity-building steps… If deliberate, direct practice in X wasn’t the best way to learn X, wouldn’t that be surprising?
I have a somewhat different perspective. I think it’s highly beneficial first to learn about the fundamental aspects of launching projects before launching one. There’s plenty of literature available on the vast majority of projects a person might want to launch. Likewise, there are experience project launchers one can talk to about launching projects. Just like it’s better to learn to play piano using a textbook and a piano teacher, having background knowledge and knowledgeable personal guidance is better than just trying it. After that, you can do the deliberate practice that will take you to mastery.
Personally, I would sooner hire someone who has launched a project and failed over applicants of similar quality.
I would only do so if the applicant was wise about launching the project. If the applicant launched the project in a foolhardy way, this indicates to me someone who is way overconfident, and I wouldn’t want this person working for me.
I have a somewhat different perspective. I think it’s highly beneficial first to learn about the fundamental aspects of launching projects before launching one. There’s plenty of literature available on the vast majority of projects a person might want to launch. Likewise, there are experience project launchers one can talk to about launching projects. Just like it’s better to learn to play piano using a textbook and a piano teacher, having background knowledge and knowledgeable personal guidance is better than just trying it. After that, you can do the deliberate practice that will take you to mastery.
I would only do so if the applicant was wise about launching the project. If the applicant launched the project in a foolhardy way, this indicates to me someone who is way overconfident, and I wouldn’t want this person working for me.