An entrepreneur is passionate about creating widespread success…and can follow through on it. Success requires work and skill; sometimes, not everyone is cut out to be diligent. Below are the top 10 qualities that benefit an up-and-coming entrepreneur.
But remember, you don’t need all of these to succeed. In fact, success happens from a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck.
1. Creativity
Creativity is the birthplace of something new. Without it, there is no invention or innovation.
An entrepreneur usually has a knack to pin down an idea and act on it. Not all ideas are good ideas, but the experience itself is priceless.
Creativity also helps solve problems and find solutions outside the box.
Meet a creative entrepreneur: Walt Disney, the creative genius behind Disney, not only revolutionized the world of animation with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, but he was also an early adopter of using Technicolor in film. In 1932, he produced the first-ever full-color cartoon, “Flowers and Trees,” which won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject. Disney’s innovation and creativity enchanted generations of audiences and transformed the entertainment industry.
2. Professionalism
This is one quality that all entrepreneurs should have.
An entrepreneur’s behavior and how they act with employees and clientele goes a long way in building the workforce’s relation with one another.
Professionalism results in trust, which keeps the people in the company motivated.
Meet an entrepreneur with professionalism: Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks, is known for his unwavering commitment to professionalism. In the early days of Starbucks, he made it a point to ensure that the company’s employees, or “partners” as he calls them, received comprehensive health benefits and stock options, even when the company was not making significant profits. Schultz’s dedication to treating employees with professionalism and respect set a high standard for the entire industry, contributing to Starbucks’ reputation as a great workplace and a leader in corporate social responsibility.
3. Risk-Taking
Being an entrepreneur is about being a risk-taker. If you don’t go into the unknown, nothing will be discovered.
There are many ways to approach risk, but an intelligent thing to do is always have a backup idea…just in case the risk doesn’t work out.
Meet a risk-taking entrepreneur: Sir Richard Branson, the adventurous entrepreneur behind the Virgin Group, is renowned for his daring risk-taking. In 1987, he set a world record for the fastest transatlantic crossing in a sailboat, “Virgin Atlantic Challenger II.” Despite facing numerous challenges and even capsizing, Branson’s determination and risk-taking spirit allowed him to achieve this incredible feat. His fearless approach to business ventures, such as entering the airline industry with Virgin Atlantic and launching Virgin Galactic, a space tourism venture, demonstrates his willingness to embrace high-stakes endeavors.
4. Passion
Your work should be your passion. So, when you do work, enjoy it, and stay highly motivated.
Passion is a driving force and should motivate you to strive for better. Being passionate about your work can also help you pull a few extra hours of work that can make or break the company.
Being passionate, especially at the beginning of your journey, helps you overcome obstacles and forge actionable goals to accomplish.
Meet a passionate entrepreneur: Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX, Tesla, and other innovative companies, is known for his unwavering passion for space exploration and sustainable transportation. Musk’s passion for space led him to create SpaceX to make humanity a multi-planetary species. He once mentioned wanting to retire on Mars, emphasizing his deep commitment to exploring and colonizing other planets. This passion drives his work and has inspired countless individuals to become excited about space exploration and renewable energy.
5. Planning
One of the most important qualities an entrepreneur should have is effective planning. Planning helps you strategize your goals and disperse your resources to all appropriate areas.
It’s always good to plan before you use your available resources. Otherwise, if a situation arises for which you don’t have a plan, being an entrepreneur is going to be the last thing on your mind!
Meet a planning entrepreneur: Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is often praised for his exceptional planning skills. In 2002, he developed the “two-pizza rule” for Amazon meetings. Bezos realized that smaller teams are often more productive, so he mandated that any meeting should have no more attendees than could be fed with two pizzas. This rule streamlined decision-making and emphasized efficient planning and execution at Amazon. Bezos’ focus on structured planning and resource allocation contributed to Amazon’s growth into one of the world’s largest and most successful e-commerce companies.
6. Knowledge
Remember that knowledge is power. An entrepreneur should be well-versed in the trivia of their industry.
How can you start up a business if you know nothing about the industry? Staying current enables the entrepreneur to know what to do, plan, and keep track of developments.
Being “a forever student” is a good trait to have. There is always going to be something new to learn!
Meet a knowledgeable entrepreneur: Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is the quintessential knowledge entrepreneur. In addition to his immense success in the technology industry, he’s renowned for his insatiable appetite for learning and reading. Gates is known for his annual reading lists, sharing his favorite books on various topics, from science to history and beyond. His passion for learning and sharing knowledge extends to his philanthropic work as well, as he and his wife Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is dedicated to addressing global health, poverty, and education. Bill Gates continues to exemplify the role of a knowledge entrepreneur, using his intellectual pursuits and wealth to impact the world positively.
7. Social Skills
Being sociable can go a long way for an entrepreneur. Similarly, this quality helps with hiring, relationship building, and teamwork.
Most careers involve human interaction. As a result, be sure to have a good grasp of social skills and cues.
Meet a socially skilled entrepreneur: Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media moguls and philanthropists, is celebrated for her exceptional social skills. Oprah’s natural talent for connecting with people has been a cornerstone of her success. Her ability to engage with guests on her talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” made it one of television’s most-watched and influential programs. Beyond her media career, Oprah is known for her philanthropic efforts, often personally engaging with the individuals and communities she aims to support. Her social skills, combined with her genuine empathy and compassion, have made her a media icon and a powerful force for positive change in the world.
8. Open-Mindedness
An entrepreneur must be accepting. It is a big world out there with all sorts of cultures and ideas.
Being open-minded doesn’t just refer to being open-minded to another culture, but towards learning, different kinds of people, and even failure.
Likewise, an experience in failure should not be met with anger or depression but with open-mindedness about what works and doesn’t work and learning from it.
Humbly viewing your faults or learning something that can shore up your resolve is a big step toward being a better entrepreneur, boss, and human.
Meet an open-minded entrepreneur: Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, is a notable example of an open-minded entrepreneur. Blakely revolutionized the fashion industry by creating a shapewear product to empower women and boost their confidence. Her open-minded approach is evident in her persistence, as she embraced unconventional methods to develop and market her product. She wrote the patent for Spanx and initially cold-called retailers to sell her product. Her open-mindedness and determination led to the creating a globally recognized brand that transformed how women think about undergarments and body confidence.
9. Empathy
To empathize is to understand your fellow man and what is going on inside their head.
Remember, your co-workers or employees are people with lives and desires. Similarly, a good entrepreneur knows what qualities, good and bad, are in each employee and how to interact with those people.
Likewise, an entrepreneur must understand why the worker is there and what motivates them. To learn more empathy, check out our article about what empathy is NOT and steps to avoid following the “empathy trap.”
Meet an empathetic entrepreneur: Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes, exemplifies the qualities of an empathetic entrepreneur. TOMS is known for its “One for One” business model, where for every pair of shoes sold, a pair is donated to a needy child. This approach reflects Mycoskie’s deep empathy and desire to impact the lives of children in disadvantaged communities positively. He took his firsthand experience of encountering children without proper footwear in Argentina and turned it into a global initiative to provide shoes and other essentials to those in need. Blake Mycoskie’s empathy-driven business model has made TOMS Shoes a successful company and inspired other entrepreneurs to incorporate social responsibility into their ventures.
10. The Customer
A good entrepreneur knows the customer means business. How does one get a customer’s attention? That is where marketing and advertisement come into play.
Knowing the needs and wants of customers is important to help optimize your product or service. Similarly, personalizing your business will make customers feel welcomed and will want to return.
As a result, the ability to sell yourself is something that an entrepreneur needs. Likewise, this lets the customer know what is being done at your business and your investors.
Meet a customer-focused entrepreneur: Tony Hsieh, the late former CEO of Zappos, was a prime example of a customer-focused entrepreneur. Under his leadership, Zappos became known for its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service. Hsieh’s belief in delivering the best possible customer experience led to innovations such as free shipping and a 365-day return policy. He even implemented a “no time limit” policy for customer service calls, allowing representatives to spend as much time as needed to assist customers. Hsieh’s customer-centric approach made Zappos a successful online shoe and clothing retailer and set a standard for outstanding customer service in e-commerce. His passion for delivering happiness to customers left a lasting impact on the industry.
FAQ Section: Top 10 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur
1. Do I need to possess all of these qualities to succeed as an entrepreneur?
No, you don’t need to possess all of these qualities to succeed as an entrepreneur. Success in entrepreneurship results from a combination of hard work, learning, and a bit of luck. Different entrepreneurs may emphasize and excel in different qualities depending on their unique circumstances and business goals.
2. Why is creativity important for an entrepreneur?
Creativity is vital for entrepreneurs because it fosters innovation and the ability to develop new ideas and solutions. It’s not just about having good ideas but also the capacity to act on them and adapt to changing situations, giving entrepreneurs a competitive edge.
3. What role does professionalism play in entrepreneurship?
Professionalism is crucial for building trust among employees and clientele. An entrepreneur’s behavior and how they interact with others within the company significantly impact the organization’s culture and success. Trust and professionalism can motivate and retain a dedicated workforce.
4. How can I become a better risk-taker as an entrepreneur?
Being a successful entrepreneur often involves taking calculated risks. It’s important to have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected. This approach allows you to explore opportunities without jeopardizing your business’s stability.
5. Why is passion considered an important quality for entrepreneurs?
Passion is a driving force that keeps you motivated and committed to your work. It can help you overcome obstacles and work extra hours to achieve your goals. It’s particularly valuable in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey when challenges are common.
6. How does effective planning benefit an entrepreneur?
Effective planning is essential for setting and achieving goals while efficiently allocating resources. It helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions, adapt to changing circumstances, and reduce the chances of feeling overwhelmed when unforeseen situations arise.
7. Why is continuous learning and industry knowledge important for entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs must stay well-informed about their industry to make informed decisions, develop effective strategies, and track developments. Being a lifelong learner and staying current with industry trends and information are essential for success.
8. What is the significance of social skills for entrepreneurs?
Social skills are essential for hiring, relationship building, and teamwork. Entrepreneurs often work with a team and interact with various stakeholders, making strong social skills valuable for fostering positive relationships and effective communication.
9. What does it mean to be open-minded as an entrepreneur?
Being open-minded means being receptive to new ideas and different cultures and learning from experiences, including failures. It’s a crucial trait that helps entrepreneurs adapt to changing circumstances, make improvements, and become more effective leaders.
10. How does empathy benefit entrepreneurs in their business endeavors?
Empathy allows entrepreneurs to understand and connect with their employees, customers, and partners. It helps identify people’s needs, motivations, and concerns, which can be used to improve products or services, build strong relationships, and create a positive work environment.
