The Essential Qualities That An Entrepreneur Needs by Mark Wager

The Essential Qualities That An Entrepreneur Needs 

By Mark Wager

Every year many businesses close down, struggling to continue operating in the current economic circumstances but during the same period there will also be people who decide that now is the perfect time to become an entrepreneur and start a new business and while many businesses will fail there will be some that will grow and soar. Some of the worlds most famous brands started during times of economic uncertainty. Disney in 1929, Revlon in 1932, Microsoft in 1975 and Netflix in 1987 all of these companies were driven by Entrepreneurs who succeeded while many others failed. What makes an entrepreneur successful? What are the core qualities that separates them from the rest? In this weeks article I’m going to list those qualities so that you to can become an entrepreneur.

The innovator 

"If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life." -Brian Chesky, Co-founder of Airbnb

Every entrepreneur I have met tends to see the world in a different ways than the majority of people. Entrepreneurs are innovators. When people say “it’s not possible” an entrepreneur asks “why not?” Entrepreneurs look for answers where others don’t even see a question. Entrepreneurs are innovators, they build businesses on the simple premise of solving problems, Reed Hastings came up with the idea of Netflix because he incurred a $40 late fee from renting movies from his local video store. If you want to be an entrepreneur then you need to be prepared to come up with innovative solutions to everyday problems.

The negotiator

"Selling is not a pushy, winner-takes-all, macho act. It is an empathy-led, process-driven, and knowledge-intensive discipline. Because, in the end, people buy from people." -Subroto Bagchi, Co-founder of Mindtree

Success is not a solitary achievement. An entrepreneur can only succeed by building relationships with other people and other companies, finding and negotiating deals that are beneficial to all parties involved. Microsoft was a small struggling company until the early 1980s when it formed a partnership to bundle their products with IBM who at the time was the worlds leading tech giant. This deal formed the basis for Microsoft to grow into one of the worlds most valuable companies. If you want to become an entrepreneur you need to be prepared to make deals that work for both parties. Look  for companies that you can work alongside.

The opportunist 

If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” - Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airways

Sometimes you just have to take the leap because if you don’t then you might not know when the next opportunity will present itself. In 1932 during the Great Recession Revlon decided to release a red nail polish called “cherries in the snow.” It was a remarkable success and many entrepreneurs would have consolidated their success by focussing on producing more nail polishes but Revlon saw an opportunity and took it. Instead they expanded their line to include lipsticks and other make up products. As a result today Revlon is worth approximately $3 billion dollars. There’s opportunities all around us it’s the entrepreneurs that have the courage to see them.

The warrior 

"If something is important enough, or you believe something is important enough, even if you are scared, you will keep going." -Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX

If someone told you that you only had a less than ten percent chance of success would you even bother trying? The reality of being an entrepreneur is that the odds are against you from day one, the majority of businesses fail. It’s without doubt a tough life which means the entrepreneurs who succeed are at their very core warriors. They have the ability to fight through the tough times, to carry on when those around them feel they should quit. They have the ability to dig deep and work harder and longer hours than anyone else would ask of them. People ask me if they should be an entrepreneur and I always reply “are you a warrior?” If  you are not then the life of an entrepreneur is not for you.

The student 

"If you start thinking you are good at something, that's often the day you stop trying to be better and open the back door for someone to come after you. That's why we always aim higher. We never feel like we're done." -Drew Houston, cofounder and CEO of Dropbox

Entrepreneurs don’t fail because they are not talented, in fact I’ve never met an entrepreneur who is not exceptional in some way. Entrepreneurs  fail because they are talented in the skills that matter. I’ve seen great chefs open restaurants but end up failing not because they don’t produce great food but because they are not good at marketing, they are not good at bookkeeping, they are not good at managing staff. Entrepreneurs need to be multi skilled and the only way to become this is to be prepared to learn. Successful entrepreneurs are also eager students, prepared to put their ego to one side and learn whatever skills their business requires.

About the Author

A strong believer in taking complex leadership & psychological theories and making them accessible to people regardless of their background, education or industry Mark has helped develop Leaders from some of the Asia-Pacific region’s top organisations such as Amnesty International, NZ Red Cross, Habitat, Heartland Bank, the NZ Rugby League, the Blues, the Catholic Church, Weta workshops and many more.

Are you a manager struggling with poor-performing staff, team motivation, or effective delegation? As an experienced leadership Coach with over 30 thirty years managerial experience Mark Wager specialises in helping managers like you tackle these challenges head-on. Imagine transforming your team’s performance, boosting morale, and mastering delegation, so you’re not shouldering all the work. With tailored strategies and personalised support, Mark will empower you to lead with confidence and ease. 

Work together to unlock your full potential and create a thriving, productive workplace. Reach out today and take the first step towards exceptional leadership. Contact Mark for a free 30 minute strategy session