Entrepreneurs – Born or Made?
Many people have a great idea. Many people are willing to take a risk. Many people know how to hustle the sale. Many people would say, “failure is not an option.” Many people are willing to work really, really hard. Many people know how to turn a profit. Many people can motivate others. Many people are hyper-focused. And many people can build powerful relationships. YET – not every one of these people is a successful entrepreneur.
Jim Clifton, the author of Entrepreneurial Strengthsfinder, asserts that only 5 out of 1,000 people have the total package required to start and grow a big business. He contrasts that with the fact that 20 out of 1,000 people have an IQ high enough to be accepted into Mensa. So, you might ask what does that mean to the average business owner?
For the average business owner, it might mean that you are not alone in the challenges you face. By understanding the textbook view of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur you will have a better understanding of the areas of entrepreneurship that don’t come naturally to you. This doesn’t mean that you have to throw in the towel, or settle for a less than successful business.
If you are serious about building a successful business, now is the time to look for team members, mentors, and/or partners that can provide complimentary entrepreneurial skills to your own skillset. Perhaps you don’t have a risk-taker mentality and would rather agonize over the pros and cons endlessly before making a decision. One way to step up your risk-taking is to have a group of advisors that have a more balanced view of risk and even include some advisors that are high risk-takers. If you are not the shameless salesperson, then hire someone who can thrive in that role – and then let them.
YOUR CHALLENGE: If you are not one of the five that are born with the entrepreneurial silver spoon in your mouth, determine the skills you are lacking and then surround yourself with those that share your passion and are willing to assist you.
If you would like to learn more about how this might apply to your business, let’s talk:
