It’s normal to get inspired by successful entrepreneurs and now even more in the new normal! Entrepreneurs who have started their life on a bicycle and went on to owning private aircrafts, India is full of such examples. For that matter all over the world. Extraordinary disruptors and innovators who have moved the needle and created their own niche and added extra value to products and services. What makes entrepreneurs? Yes they are daring, risk-takers and have the courage to be different but, what differentiates them from everyone else is their mindset. They are born different. Most entrepreneurs show their qualities in their childhood. They are curious, intelligent and leave an impact wherever they go.
A thought, how can an ‘Entrepreneurial mindset’ help working professionals perform better? Can the same principles used by entrepreneurs be leveraged for professionals to be their best version? The answer is yes. In the Indian Armed forces there is a term called ‘OLQ’ which means ‘officer like qualities’. Any aspirant to join the armed forces needs to have these qualities or develop them. Nowadays ‘OLQ’ is widely adopted in leadership and the corporate world. Similarly there are ‘ELQ’ entrepreneur like qualities that you can adopt and evolve into a new and disruptive successful mindset. Here are some fundamental trends of an entrepreneurial mindset-
Daring and Courageous
Entrepreneurs are risk takers by nature and are courageous. Many of us lose out on opportunities because we hesitate to take risk. We have several great ideas that may help our firm progress exponentially, but we hold back thinking “Oh it’s just a job, I am doing mine well, why should I express myself and then get judged”. The best product ideas have come from employees who thought beyond what they were asked to do. Employees who go beyond their call of duty quickly come under the scanner of senior management and are ear marked for more responsibilities. Even in your job, be courageous, offer out of the box ideas, gleam your own deliverables. The only difference between an entrepreneur and you is that you get paid a salary and he/she get paid from the profits of their venture. Otherwise it’s all about client delight. Internal and external.
Ownership
An attitude of ownership is a major differentiator with entrepreneurs. They own what they do, whether it’s their business, customer service, manufacturing defects or even profit and loss. If we adapt this trait and increase the degree of ownership in what we do, the results will be significantly better. Our attitude will change and then the buck will stop with us. Ownership just increases the level of accountability to another level. If each employee and leader take ownership, the environment naturally evolves from ‘me’ to ‘we’. Team work becomes the norm and purpose of the firm a collective purpose. Delivery of work moves up from just doing things to getting it right!
Focus and Tenacity
The focus and tenacity of entrepreneurs is just mindboggling. Driven by their purpose and drive, nothing seems to ever stop them. They just keep on course- regardless of obstacles and challenges, just like someone possessed. They only stop when their objectives are achieved and their business successful. Serial entrepreneurs don’t even stop there, they go on to their next initiative and get obsessed till they complete their objectives. There is a lot to be learned here for professionals. If we work with the same focus and tenacity as entrepreneurs, we will always remain ‘in demand’ professionals. Tenacity here is a real game changer. After a while with some professionals, tenacity runs out as there is a lack of ownership. But if you have that energy to keep at it till you get it right, there is no doubt that you will foster and progress in work and life. As someone rightly said “Perfection is sometimes not good enough”
“It’s not about money or connections. It’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone when it comes to your business.” Mark Cuban
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