Getting into the mindset of a Pioneer
[pī-ə-ˈnir] A person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity, or a new method or technical development.
I bet when you read that, your entrepreneurial heroes popped up in your mind (yes, we all secretly do have at least one). Importantly, how then, do we learn from our heroes and what qualities should we be adopting so that we can emulate to be pioneers of tomorrow?
Having met many leaders in their respective industries, I have noticed that some peculiar qualities stood out more than others. Here, I share my (non-exhaustive) list and hope that you will be able to reflect on some of the qualities mentioned:
1. Genuine curiosity
It goes without saying, if one does not ask why and refrains from challenging dogma or thinking out of the box, how would you pave a new path that has never been trodden on before?
The first question entrepreneurs ask is how — how does this work? Then why — why this method and not another? Why can’t it be applied to a different setting? In actual fact, many innovations are not about creating novel ideas. Rather, it’s about being able to apply something used in one industry to another, whilst tailoring it specifically with the new context in mind.
2. Feeling supported
One of the biggest life lessons I have learnt from a female in senior leadership was to build your tribe. Create a supportive circle around you. These are the exact people who believe in you, your ideas, and your capabilities.
As a pioneer in any field, you will be embarking on a very steep learning curve. Find tribe members who complement your skillsets and knowledge, and more importantly, actively search for those who help fill your limitations/gaps. Learn from them, and listen to their ideas.
Once at the top, it is important to remember not to lose sight of who was there to support you. You would not be at the peak without them.
3. Managing time
Pioneers also tend to be great sticklers for rigid schedules and times. Meetings with them tend to be scheduled to the minute (they usually don’t give you more than thirty minutes) but interestingly, this discipline spills into the rest of their lifestyle too.
A (real) example would be like — 6am wake-up, exercise, and news updates, 7am send out emails, 8am back-to-back meetings, …. 10pm meditate and sleep. Oh wait, sounds pretty similar to your own schedule?
4. Pitch perfect
Three words — Confident, Cogent, Compassionate. Leaders in their field talk the talk and walk the walk. If you put them in a dinner table setting, they will most likely leave the dinner impressing those sitting next to them within the hour (or failing which, would have at least informally pitched their ideas to their dinner guests).
Such skills are important to hone for everyday life, whether it is to sell your idea to investors for seed-funding, making recommendations on policy changes, or even as a medic, communicating your plan to the patient at the bedside. Practice this. It will take you very far.
5. Learning from failures
Most start-ups fail. That is a fact. Some might hit brick walls when it comes to the actual execution of an idea e.g. insufficient funding, imbalance in supply and demand etc. But many of these failures are taken as learning points and opportunities for growth. In fact, launchpads for their next venture. Never be afraid of failure, and don’t just learn from your failures. Learn from other people’s mistakes too, so that you won’t fall into the same trap.
Being a pioneer is not easy, but then again, when is success ever easy?
Writing this article made me reflect about my attitudes towards the above traits, and as much as I’d like to think I possess them, there are always areas that can be improved upon. I mean, lifelong learning… right?
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About the author
Jaclyn Tan is a fifth year medical student at UCL with a particular interest in healthcare leadership and policy. She hopes of one day being able to empower healthcare professionals by getting them a seat at the Board table, making their voices heard, and impacting real change from within the healthcare industry. During her spare time, she serves as a freelance journalist and takes painting, poetry, and jazz pretty seriously!
