An entrepreneur, or business manager, has three key missions within his organization: business development, profitability and maintaining good visibility. While keeping these main missions in mind, the entrepreneur must ensure several management, production and sales functions. But, let’s be honest, not everyone has the shoulders to be an entrepreneur… Steve Jobs said:
Your time is limited, don’t waste it leading an existence that is not yours
And, he was absolutely right! The job of a business manager is, these days, accessible to everyone. Men, women, sons of doctors or daughters of workers… Everyone now has the opportunity to manage men and women, but do they all have the same facilities to achieve this goal?
To date, numerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate the existing correlations between individuals’ professions and their personalities. It is scientifically proven that an individual will be more fulfilled and efficient if their work environment is in line with their personality.
In the case of entrepreneurs and business leaders, 5 personality traits stand out among the best known such as Franck Provost, Steve Jobs and Madonna. Let’s analyze this:
1# Passion
“Real” business leaders don’t invest their heart and soul into their organizations just for the money. Although this actor is an additional advantage, the real reason which pushes these leaders is the love of the profession or at least, of the work environment.
If you select a career you are passionate about, you will never have to work a day in your life.
This captures the idea that doing what you love is more of a passion than a profession. Entrepreneurs are not afraid of hard work because it represents a struggle to achieve their dreams. They do not admit defeat when they stumble over obstacles, they persevere and their passion is their reason for moving forward.
2# Optimism
When starting out, it is common for individuals to lose hope that their businesses will ever reach the desired market. Great entrepreneurs ignore this; their optimism is such that hope is not lost. One of the most important character traits for a business leader is his optimism and his ability to transmit it to his employees. Optimism generally involves setting goals, but it is not enough just to define them.
A goal without a plan is just a wish – Antoine de Saint Exupéry
Entrepreneurs and their teams must follow a concrete plan while always having the previously set objectives in mind. All actions must represent a step (even a small one) towards achieving these objectives.
3# Motivation
Motivation for entrepreneurs is an essential factor in their success. Just as with optimism, the ability to transmit motivation to third parties is essential in a company. Simon Sinek once said:
You are a leader if everything you do encourages others to pursue their dreams and learn, achieve, and be more.
This sentence perfectly illustrates the difference between an average entrepreneur and an entrepreneur with motivation and the ability to transmit it.
Business leaders need to know how to convey their dreams and inspire their employees to achieve them.
4# Creativity
Good entrepreneurs think differently from others. Seeing the world in a different way and thinking outside the box allows great ideas to blossom.
You cannot exhaust your creativity. The more you use it, the more you get – Maya Angelou
Entrepreneurs are aware of the idea that this quote summarizes. Always looking for new innovations, new improvements, new ideas… Entrepreneurs, thanks to their great creativity, bring new ideas that change the world.
5# Risk
Risk is not strictly speaking a character trait. We are dealing here with the tendency to risk. Risk-taking peaks when starting a business. Instead of being afraid, successful entrepreneurs know that risk-taking is necessary to achieve goals.
In the business world, conformity is not allowed. Finding success depends on the challenges that the entrepreneur sets himself. As Marissa Mayer so eloquently said:
If you get past that feeling of fear, that feeling of taking risks, really surprising things can happen.
If you see risks and challenges as opportunities, you answer this point: few people have the “courage” to undertake…
Conclusion
Personality is considered a key element in explaining the success or failure of entrepreneurs. According to Sumit Agarwal The five personality traits that every entrepreneur must have are passion, optimism, motivation, creativity and acceptance of risk.
These different characteristics determine the success of the entrepreneur and it is important to take into account the interdependent nature of each: the acceptance of risk will depend on motivation and optimism which in turn depend on the degree of passion and creativity of the entrepreneur.
Do you meet all of these personality traits? It might then be time to consider a career as an entrepreneur because many people start out but few do it for the right reasons. By developing these characteristics and investing 100% in your project, you have all the capabilities to achieve success.
