Character: Successful serial entrepreneurs require
several key traits. Above all, one’s power of persuasion and leadership
skills are the most outstanding, according to Target Training
International, Ltd., a research firm in Scottsdale, Ariz., which recently published its data in a post on the Harvard Business Review blog.
In my opinion, you’re either persuasive or you aren’t, much like
you’re a natural-born leader or you aren’t. The variables of one’s
environment may or may not support the development of these skills, but,
if you have these natural traits, chances are you have
the personality
fit for entrepreneurship.
Values: Value systems largely vary from person to
person. Not only are ethical values largely subjective, objective values
— seeking of pleasure or avoiding pain — similarly cross the spectrum.
One thing remains certain, however: Those whom hold integrity and
consistency with the upmost importance typify the entrepreneurial
mindset. Did I mention pig-headedness?
Those who are instead wishy-washy in their value systems, or have no
value system, make terrible leaders and lack the respect required to
drive change.
Attitudes: Personality is mostly determined by
genetics, but your attitude toward circumstances and things outside your
control are indicative of your ability to build a thriving business. If
you have a negative disposition, a “can’t do” attitude, or are
generally defeatist in nature my first suggestion is, engage in some
serious introspection. My second suggestion: After you look yourself
over, ask yourself if you can realistically exchange your negativity for
positivity?
Entrepreneurs are positive people. They are realistic and logical,
but positivity is what keeps the ship sailing when all else looks bleak.
It also makes them fun to be around, which is why they can seemingly
move mountains.
Interests: Historical data is extremely helpful with
regard to Interests. Can you think back far enough to remember your
natural inclinations as a child? Did you enjoy challenges, disrupting
the normal, questioning the status quo? Were you constantly “shaking
things up” for a chance to improve yourself or those around you?
Lemonade-standers unite here.
If, on the other hand, you were the kid holed up in the attic reading
crime novels, getting straight A’s and never getting into trouble, you
may have been the apple of your parents (and teacher’s) eye, but perhaps
you’d better steer clear of entrepreneurship. Note that there are
always exceptions.
Lifestyles: Up at 5 a.m. for a quick workout.
Checking iPhone while running on the treadmill. Quick shower and back
online around 7 a.m. to start the day. Meetings, meetings and more
meetings. Quick coffee with that girl you think is cute then back to the
office to fire your head of sales. Interview with a local paper.
Another meeting. Check emails. 7 p.m. quick dinner. Then drinks with a
possible strategic-business partner. Home, 11 p.m. Rinse and repeat.
And so it goes, sometimes for months on end… and often times for
years. But this is the entrepreneur’s insanity, a.k.a. the drive that
enables her or him to love mostly every minute of the above. To them,
work is not work. It’s life.
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