Discontent vs. Entrepreneur: Spotting the Difference Between Critics and Catalysts

by Dave Miller

In the world always in need of change and innovation, it’s easy to mix up two types of people who initially look very similar: the discontent and the entrepreneur. Both start from a place of dissatisfaction with the status quo. They can see what’s wrong, identify gaps, and are often vocal about how things could be different.

But as you follow their journeys, a fundamental difference emerges. The discontent is someone who is content to stay in the realm of critique. They thrive on pointing out what’s wrong and discussing how things should be different, but they often stop there. For them, the end goal is the conversation itself.

On the other hand, the entrepreneur or catalyst doesn’t stop at critique. They move beyond just talking about the problem. They roll up their sleeves, gather people, and actually do the work to create change. Entrepreneurs are the ones who get their hands dirty and put in the reps until they see a solution. They don’t just highlight problems; they take tangible steps toward a solution and share those wins with others.

More than that, a true entrepreneur starts to teach those lessons to others. They become passionate about not just solving the problem themselves but equipping others to engage in the problem-solving process. They hire, they train, and they spread their knowledge so that the impact grows beyond just one person’s effort. The discontent, by contrast, rarely gathers a group to create real change; they’re more interested in continuing to point out what’s wrong.

In short, while both discontents and entrepreneurs may look similar at the start, the real difference lies in who takes action and who multiplies that action by bringing others along. After all, discontents gather people to complain, but entrepreneurs gather people to create change. It’s the difference between forming a gripe group and forming a movement.