Great entrepreneurs aren’t born overnight. Although most big success stories seem instantaneous, there’s always a bigger picture. And at the heart of that picture is an entrepreneur that has been on a hell of a journey!
It takes a certain type of personality to cope with the rigours of entrepreneurship. To get back up after being knocked down. To build something from scratch, and take it further. So, do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? In this post, we’re looking at some of the personality traits required.
1. They’re persistent
Every entrepreneur has their own story of failure and disappointment before making it big. What separates them is the ability to pick themselves up, and try again.
Great entrepreneurs don’t let mistakes and setbacks put them off. They learn from them, and step back up. It requires a tremendous amount of perseverance and dedication to do this.
You only need to look at Apple’s late Steve Jobs, who was kicked out of his own company early on. A decade later, he came back and turned Apple into the biggest company in the world.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” – Steve Jobs
2. They have a strong personal image
Again, you can use the example of Steve Jobs here. However, you can say the same about Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates. Great entrepreneurs have built a successful brand around themselves.
That might not come easily to everyone, but it’s something you need to think about. A simple way to start is by doing interviews with the press. Put personal quotes on your company’s PR distribution, and write articles online. Start building a presence and image around yourself as a leader.
3. They know how to build a team
The best entrepreneurs know that they can’t do everything. In the early days, they probably ran every section of the company, from marketing to product development to coding. However, as the business grows, it’s time to start delegating.
A poor entrepreneur is one that micro-manages, and refuses to let go. A good entrepreneur knows to find the best possible person to supplement their skills. Great entrepreneurs recognise their own shortcomings, and hire people to fill the gap.
Related: These 4 Qualities Contributed to the Success of Most Entrepreneurs You Know
4. They know how to make money
There’s a reason why 80% of new businesses fail within the first year. And unfortunately, it all comes down to money. Quite simply, startups don’t work unless they know how to turn a profit. The first year is the hardest, and you’ll need a tight reign on the finances.
At a certain point, a monetization strategy is required to take things to the next level. If you’re looking to get investors on board, they need to know that you can make money. Knowing how to sell is a unique skill. Do you have it?
5. They exhibit surging raw ambition
Successful entrepreneurs are generally ambitious and confident in their abilities. They may have many ideas, some of them are more workable than others. Failure is viewed as a learning opportunity, so it’s no disaster that some ideas don’t actually get done the first time.
6. And they’re passionate
Lastly, entrepreneurs are incredibly passionate about what they do. If they weren’t, they simply wouldn’t make it! Entrepreneurship is hard, and only a sheer passion will get you up in the morning.
So, now you know what’s going on inside the head of your favourite entrepreneurs. Think you’ve got what it takes?