In my last article: Are Entrepreneurs & Change Agents Born or Made, we explored the importance of nurture, education, and environment to help cultivate our inner entrepreneur and/or change agent.
This time I’d like to present a list of characteristics or qualities that are often, if not always, present in those who become world class in this space.
While being born with high fluid intelligence, high openness to being creative and open to new ideas, and moderate agreeableness -i.e. being somewhat warm, friendly, and tactful with the ability to get along well with others- really helps, it shouldn’t stop us from applying ourselves if we want to succeed as entrepreneurs or change agents.
There are a number of similarities between successful entrepreneurs and change agents and there are some minor differences.
The good news is that we can learn and apply many of these qualities, capabilities, and habits ourselves. If we are passionate about what we want to do and determined to achieve then why not see what we can achieve if we put our minds to it.
Some characteristics of world class entrepreneurs*
- Clarity of purpose
- Belief in self
- Spots opportunities – finding needs and niches that need to be addressed
- Focuses on the most important things first
- Clear leadership and encouraging contribution from others
- Creates a collaborative culture – they know they can’t do it on their own
- Open mindedness, respect and curiosity
- Creates and nurtures active networks
- Invests in their personal development at both professional and personal levels
- High levels of mental, emotional and physical energy – invests in their wellbeing
- Constantly challenges self to grow and evolve
- Belief in technology
- Courage and resilience
- An opportunity and abundance mindset
Some characteristics of world class change agents^
- Homophily – develops close relationships and practices deep listening
- Empathy – demonstrates a sincere understanding of thoughts, feelings and emotions of others
- Collaboration – creates tight links and strong working relationships
- Awareness of the human side of change
- Embodies the change – leads and pulls the change through
- Creates proximity and access to others
- Delivers clear plans and processes for effective change
- Resourceful
- Open mindedness, respect and curiosity
- High levels of mental, emotional, and physical energy – invests in their wellbeing
- Creates synergy and collaboration
- Creates appropriate rewards to help guide and direct effective change
- Purposeful and focused
These are two great lists, and I cannot help but noticing that all these attributes and skills are also what make successful salespeople and sales leaders. That’s no coincidence because to be a successful entrepreneur or change agent, you need to know how to find and create opportunity, and sell.
Remember, everybody lives by selling something.
*https://www.inc.com/andrew-griffiths/a-12-point-entrepreneurial-success-checklist.html
^https://www.managementstudyguide.com/characteristics-of-successful-change-agents.htm
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