What’s common between the best researchers and founders?

The best people in both groups are quite different on average.

7 things common betwen them

Spend a lot of time reflecting on some version of the Hamming question - “What are the most important problems in your field, and why aren’t you working on them?”
Laser focus on the next step in front of them as well as long-term vision.
Extremely persistent and hard working.
Bias towards action and trying things, and clear-eyed and honest about what is working and what isn’t.
Creative idea-generators — a lot of the ideas may be terrible, but there is never a shortage.
Really value autonomy.
Very driven by genuine curiosity.