The term "entrepreneur" conjures up images of visionaries and exceptional greatness. Nonetheless, successful entrepreneurs frequently start out the same way that many other business owners do. They have lofty goals and aspirations, so they start their own businesses to work for themselves. But what exactly makes up a great entrepreneur's DNA? Every individual is not born with all of the characteristics of entrepreneurial spirit that the majority of entrepreneurs share. They work hard to hone their skills and grow into leaders capable of running their own businesses successfully.
Learn more about what is entrepreneurial spirit, why it's crucial to have and maintain one, signs it's present, and what you can do to keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive.
What is Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Why is it Important?
Most of us are not aware of the meaning of entrepreneurial spirit. From this perspective, the entrepreneurial spirit is a living force that motivates people to take action. It is most visible in those who are agents of change. As defined by Steve Jobs in Apple's "Think Different" campaign, changemakers are the “crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in square holes, the ones who see things differently they dislike rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, praise or condemn them, but you can't ignore them because they change things, they advance the human race."
People who answer the call within themselves to step into their unique gifts and contribute to making the world a better place are needed in the world. There can be no progress or innovation without them. When this occurs, communities fall apart, and people suffer. We need leaders—people who will nurture the unseen force that propels them to solve the world's most complex problems. This requires a great deal of bravery, self-belief, dedication, and knowledge. As a result, entrepreneurial spirit is something you must recognize within yourself. The truth is that having one is more about adopting a growth-oriented mindset than it is about being "gifted" and learning how to foster and grow throughout your life.
Top Characteristics of Entrepreneurial Spirit
You may be wondering if any definite signs indicate whether or not you have an entrepreneurial spirit. "Are leaders born or made?" is a question that comes to mind. The truth is that having one is more about adopting a growth-oriented mindset than it is about being "gifted." Find out which characteristics of entrepreneurial spirit you'll need to work on to effectively develop this trait and keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive in the sections below.
∙ Purpose
Those with an entrepreneurial spirit are driven to achieve a goal bigger than themselves. Whether they're a leader in a purpose-driven company or starting their own movement, they want to make a difference in the lives of others.
∙ Passion
People passionate about their mission are willing to fight and even suffer to complete their mission. They are compelled to see their cause through, no matter what. This is evident in how they speak, act, think, and behave.
∙ Persistence
When it comes to roadblocks, successful entrepreneurs have a different mindset. Instead of giving up when things get tough, they pivot and figure out how to overcome the obstacles in their path. Even if others see problems as insurmountable, they see them as exciting challenges.
∙ Thinking Critically
Entrepreneurs are creative thinkers who are always coming up with new ways to improve, adapt, excel, and innovate the world around them. They use their foresight and vision to take calculated risks, avoid harm, and build better paths to success.
∙ Proactiveness
Those in positions of authority focus on acting rather than reacting. They are always thinking about the future. For example, they go ahead and fix problems that, if left unresolved, could escalate into major issues later on. "If you're proactive, you focus on preparing," says leadership expert John C. Maxwell. When you are reactive, you end up concentrating on repairing."
∙ Influence
Those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit have a lot of clout. They inspire, motivate, support, and encourage those around them, whether they're motivating their team to keep pushing forward toward project completion or mentoring employees so they, too, can develop into leaders. This brings out the best in not only them but also in others.
∙ Positive Attitude
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
Those with an entrepreneurial spirit seem to have a lot of optimism. This is because, as previously stated, leaders think differently. Failure and challenges are not viewed negatively; instead, they are viewed as learning opportunities that provide growth opportunities.
∙ Consistency
Those with an entrepreneurial spirit understand that achieving their objectives necessitates consistent action. People who are unwilling to put in the daily work and develop positive habits that move them closer to their goals will never see their dreams come true. Furthermore, as author Daniel Transon puts it, "consistency is a critical component; without it, a leader is incapable of gaining respect, success, or even developing confidence in others."
∙ Grit
People do not achieve success on their own. It takes tenacity, perseverance, and commitment. According to the study on success conducted by entrepreneurs, CEO, psychologist, and author Angela Duckworth, grit determines whether ambitious people achieve their goals. "Grit is about doing something you like that you're willing to stick by it. It's doing what you love, but not just falling in love, but staying in love," she writes in her book.
How to Nurture and Keep Your Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive?
Entrepreneurial spirit requires care. They will act as a drain if they are not developed and grown. Working toward your passion and completing your mission necessitates leadership abilities. If you don't properly lead yourself and your team, your business, health, and well-being will suffer quickly. Use the suggestions below to avoid these issues. They will assist you in cultivating and growing the qualities required to fully step into your calling.
1. Prioritize Purpose Over Profits
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos, once said, "Chase the vision, not the money; the money will follow you." This is because organizations without a purpose are doomed to fail. Customers and team members alike want to assist businesses dedicated to making the world a better place. According to an Accenture study, 63 percent of surveyed global consumers prefer to buy products and services from companies that share their values and beliefs and avoid companies that don't. In contrast, according to Deloitte research, only one in every five employees would stay at a profit-driven organization for more than five years. This demonstrates that purpose-driven businesses are far more likely to succeed than non-purpose-driven businesses.
2. Develop a Growth Mindset as a Leader
A growth mindset, like purpose, is essential for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. People who have a growth mindset are optimistic and see life as an exciting learning experience. They are eager to learn new skills, push boundaries, face challenges, and seek knowledge that will help them improve their leadership abilities. One of the most distinguishing features of a leader is that they are constantly in motion.
They never stop, even when setbacks occur, whether they are problem-solving, implementing a plan, or challenging what can be done with an innovative idea. You can't effectively lead a business or a team if you don't have this mindset because companies and the people who work for them are constantly changing. Nothing is ever certain or fixed.
3. Engage in Actionable Thinking
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
When leaders fail to be proactive, team members stop making progress toward the company's mission. They're too preoccupied with the battles in front of them. An entrepreneurial spirit, as previously stated, is a living, breathing, action-oriented force. As a result, those who want to foster it must learn how to make sound decisions that can be put into action. To do so, they must assess risks, devise an execution strategy, and guide their team members in the right direction. Furthermore, these tasks must be completed on time. If they are not, problems will quickly worsen, the team will become more stressed or frustrated, burnout will occur, and a chaotic work environment will develop.
4. Find a Mentor
This is the most important to keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive. Mentorship is essential for successful entrepreneurs. Working for a just cause and a larger vision of the future can be exhausting without this kind of help. A great mentor is a motivating and inspiring figure in your life who will push you to progress in new and sustainable ways. They accomplish this by providing direction, perspective, and valuable advice. As a result, they limit bad decisions, increase relationship-building opportunities, and nurture the force that propels an individual's entrepreneurial spirit. Furthermore, mentors increase a business owner's chances of success. A UPS Store survey found that "70% of supervised companies sustain for more than five years more than double the rate of companies that do not have a coach." A role model is unquestionably essential in a leader's life.
Introducing Strikingly
Image is taken from Strikingly
By creating a website on Strikingly, you will have the power to influence everyone with your goals and website design. Strikingly is a website builder that is suitable for all types of entrepreneurs. All you have to do is select one template from a collection of entrepreneurship templates and customize it to create your website. Without worrying about the technical aspects of the website, you can concentrate on developing high-quality products and creating excellent content to go with them.
Conclusion
Joining a mastermind group is another option for developing and growing an entrepreneurial spirit because there is strength in numbers. You need to be surrounded by like-minded people if you're an ambitious go-getter who feels called to make a difference in the world.
Furthermore, these people will understand your pain points, such as juggling work-life balance, dealing with challenges such as scaling a company, and making complex business decisions."The key is to surround yourself with people who lift you up, whose presence calls forth your best," Greek philosopher Epictetus advised. This life-changing opportunity is provided by a mastermind group. You will be pushed to fulfill your purpose and potential as a group, all while learning the skills you will need to succeed.