Entrepreneurship — The Essential Traits for the Messy, Unpredictable Pathway
“Planning is actually incompatible with an entrepreneurial society and economy. Planning is the kiss of death of entrepreneurship.” - Peter Drucker
Can entrepreneurship be taught?
This is a puzzling question and often the more debated topic.
The ‘No’ Opinion
Entrepreneurship can’t be learnt in traditional way i.e. by sitting in classroom listening to a lecture or by solving case studies. It is a subject which involves lot of science and art and can only be experienced by doing it in the real world i.e. by taking actions and looking into the reactions.
The ‘Yes’ Opinion
There are clearly limitations of using traditional educational methods to teach entrepreneurship but when general business knowledge and fundamentals are used, it gives a glimpse of what steps should or shouldn’t be taken.
With a burst in the startup world and the birth of entrepreneurial ecosystems obtaining more speed, it is necessary to develop certain qualities to become a successful entrepreneur. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or are learning to be one, the following traits are necessary in any entrepreneur.
The Traits of an Entrepreneur
1. Passion:
Entrepreneurship is a journey not a destination. The journey which will only last if you’re passionate to achieve every milestone no matter how difficult and tedious it is. After completion of each milestone there will always be another goal set to achieve. Your passion can convert into profits if you’re on the right way.
2. Investment
Once you discover your passion to solve a problem, doing things differently ensures that you invest enough time to make it happen. There is no tomorrow for a beginning; it’s always now.
3. Risk:
No pain, no gain. The entrepreneur has to take lot of risks, but those must all be calculated risks. As the path is uncertain, unpredictable and filled with surprises, it is time to get out from your comfort zone. If we choose the path we have been walking all our life, it won’t help us to discover something new and enjoy the beauty of alternatives.
4. Opportunistic and optimistic:
Every opportunity can open some doors and some can teach lessons. But exploring new ideas to get closer to your dreams is only a step towards your vision.
“Optimism refuses to believe that the road ends without options.” ―Robert H. Schuller
5. Goodbye to timidness:
When you are passionate enough to achieve your goals say goodbye to your timidness. An entrepreneur shouldn’t hesitate to communicate his ideas fearlessly. After all everyone is human here and no one is perfect. Some might underestimate your idea but there can be someone who can look into it and say ‘fantastic’.
6. Highly adaptable & flexible:
Sometimes there won’t be any backups for a contingent future. An entrepreneur should be highly flexible, adapt to new changes and take it as a challenge to make things work.
7. Networking:
Yes, you have to focus on your target audience but right networking can help you get there. Remember, sometimes, a simple hello can lead to a million things.
8. Focus:
The journey through entrepreneurship is not easy; there will be hurdles all the time, situations which will always pull you down but all you have to do is focus. As said by Tony Robbins, “Your life is controlled by what you focus on.”
9. Constant learner:
There is no end to the learning phase. As an entrepreneur, you have to learn and unlearn many things which comes on your path. The art of learning and unlearning will always help an individual to be a better version of oneself.
10. Innovators:
Everyone seeks change. The whole point of being an entrepreneur is to be innovative, help the society and to provide solutions. The world is an opportunity to showcase your innovations. So start innovating now!
11. Patience:
Sometimes taking baby steps to achieve the goals are not bad. There is no hard and fast rule for success. Keeping faith in your path and determination will take you a long way.
