Entrepreneurial Minds in a Structured Economic Environment.
What are common characteristics of a successful entrepreneur? Characteristics include but aren’t limited to multi tasking ability, leadership, high emotional intelligence, well organized, closer, personal growth oriented, and focusing on something he or she enjoys.
Are you any or all of these? The concept of being “entrepreneurial” has always intrigued me because it seems the longer I am in the workplace the more clear this becomes to me. Most are attracted to the very concept and self proclaim their selves as this, but few have the ability, resolve, or work ethic to make it happen. Further, those with those characteristics may still fail because of extenuating circumstances such as limited funding, personal crisis, time, etc.
Let’s look at each characteristic for a minute. Multi Tasking is very important from the concept of how unpredictable days can become when the customer and potential employees have different needs that pop up at once. It will become important that you can listen effectively about someone’s aunt or uncle passing while effectively reviewing the budget and preparing for a meeting at 1pm. Oh, and don’t forget. You must continue to play offense that day too.
Leadership is not chosen yet it is earned and evolves from behavior over
an extended period of time. Personality, trust, the zeal to do what the other one will not is amongst common traits. Remember, individuals follow others for THEIR benefit, so it must be self fulfilling to follow, hence why the leader is usually a special person with special responsibility that he or she may not have asked for.
Emotional Intelligence is actually one of my favorite traits and metrics to read about. How self aware someone is can be a large measure of a leader and ultimately their success as an entrepreneur. Social ability is a second key measure. One must be very savvy and sincere socially.
Be well organized. An effective entrepreneur must have a plan and work that plan. To effectively do this, his or her day and workspace must be dialed in. A dialed in workspace and calendar usually means there is a dialed in entrepreneur acting aggressively, strategically, and tactically behind the scenes.
Close the deal! Please do not be afraid to close. Whether this is closing a sale, closing a round of funding to propel your company to the next level, or closing on an important employee; this is a MUST in being a successful leader and ultimately and entrepreneur.
Invest in yourself. A successful entrepreneur must seize every opportunity for personal and professional growth. Read books, have uncomfortable conversations, earn that next degree, etc. If you are not interested in improving yourself, you most likely won’t be able to improve other individuals or a company.
Do what you enjoy. This will prevent you from losing focus. This one is easy. Life is short. Your belly will tell you what this is. That isn’t your heart. It is your intuition. This is well documented and measureable. Follow your GUT!
