Over the years countless institutes and individuals have asked the million dollar question. What makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur? What traits or characteristics are inherent to a successful entrepreneur and is one born with those traits? There's great news! Successful entrepreneurs are born every day!
Some people believe an entrepreneur is born while others believe an entrepreneur can be taught. Some believe an entrepreneur is like an artist - either you have it or do you don't. Some see entrepreneurs as leaders that are focused, disciplined, competitive, and charismatic, while others see them as huge risk takers. And all of these analogies are right to some degree.
It's true all successful entrepreneurs share a few qualities and skills that allow them to be successful. These inherent qualities can be taught; but they often seem to be an inherent driving force that sends individuals down the path of being in business or formally training to for a career in business.
Entrepreneurs see the world differently. They have the ability to see the world as a system. They have the ability to see something in its entirety and as an integrated unit, and they seem to possess the ability to see opportunity within the global picture. They are what is called a system thinker.
There are other characteristics they possess. Entrepreneurs possess an overpowering need to achieve and tend to be very competitive against themselves. They are continuously trying to outthink themselves and others and they are constantly looking for the edge. This is a process that occurs as naturally as breathing and is a driving force behind most entrepreneurs.
They have the determination and dedication to follow through with commitments and they always appear confident and in control. You'll notice they also possess a positive atmosphere. They are of the mindset "I can," and "I will." They are not afraid of failure because failure is not in their vocabulary nor is it an option.
They are objective but have the ability to weigh risks realistically within the big picture. They have an uncanny ability to anticipate developments which gives them the edge on many competitive situations. Entrepreneurs seem to feel right from their gut, call it instinct. They are a resourceful group that possess excellent problem solving skills and are able to diligently work through obstacles as they occur.
Entrepreneurs are excellent communicators and recognize how important clear and concise communication is to their success. They also possess a sound working knowledge of the business they are involved in.
When it comes to successful entrepreneurs it's a question of what came first, the chicken or the egg. Is it inherent qualities that we are born with that lead us to be entrepreneurs or is it when we choose to become an entrepreneur that we develop the skills and qualities of success? That's a question we shall leave to the great debaters to resolve.
What is for certain is that successful entrepreneurs are born every day and that you too can be a successful entrepreneur by developing the skills of success.
Related Articles
Your Business Is Incorporated - But Are Your Personal Assets Safe?
By: Brian Armstrong | 20/03/2007 | Management
Many small business owners understand the benefit of incorporating, but they don't realize how easy it is to lose their "corporate status" if they get sued or end up in bankruptcy. This is dangerous because then the court can come after their PERSONAL assets (like their house, car, savings, etc)!
Today,...
Are The Tough Decisions Holding You Back?
By: Brian Armstrong | 21/03/2007 | Management
Have you ever had a tough decision to make? If you're anything like me you were probably flip flopping back and forth all day, trying to get some more information, and generally being really STRESSED OUT. Finally, your brain just gave up and creatively came up with a way to...
Making Lemonade: Starting A Business After Ending A Career
By: Liz Sumner, M.a., Cpc | 22/07/2006 | Careers
What do you do when the money tree starts sprouting lemons? It's increasingly common these days to find middle-aged, mid-level managers suddenly faced with huge shifts of circumstance.
Do Engineers Make Good Entrepreneurs?
By: Brian Armstrong | 22/03/2007 | Business
Today I'd like to talk about the skillset required to start a business. Specifically, do you need to have a background in engineering?
I hear this used most frequently as an excuse.
"It's just too technical for me to understand."
"I was never good with numbers."
"Things have changed so much since I...
Starting A Business Is All About Making The Correct Plans
By: Steve A | 11/04/2007 | Business Opportunities
Before starting a business, it's important to study why certain businesses succeed while others fail. By studying the mistakes of others, you dramatically increase your chances of success...
Sometimes Survival is Victory
By: Ross Lambert | 30/05/2006 | ECommerce
Midnight Marketer Ross Lambert provides some sage advice for those who have "hit the wall" in building their businesses online.
Is the Fear of Failure Holding you Back From Starting your Own Business?
By: Marenda Hughes Taylor | 16/04/2007 | Business
The owner of the company you work for probably had reservations and fears about starting their business but instead of being paralyzed by fear they stepped out on faith facing their fears while making their dreams come true.
Hiring A Marketing Expert
By: Obinna Heche | 31/07/2007 | Advertising
Whether you are just starting out in business or have owned your company for more than 10 years, the odds are good that at some point in your entrepreneurship you will consider hiring a marketing expert.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Tax help
By: drerrett | 07-05-2008
i own and operate a small farm and do some landscaping,design and maitenance work. All self employed. What tax forms should I be using?
Need money from Mutual Funds
By: pascharis | 07-05-2008
Is there a way to cash in mutual funds without tax penalty, or to at least get some of it without penalty?
Banking help
By: LizD13 | 06-05-2008
If I set up a bank account for a family who is going through a medical emergency, does the family have to pay taxes? Would donations be tax deductible?
If I owe a credit card company and they have ...
By: bfb10041957 | 06-05-2008
If I owe a credit card company and they have turned the account over to a collection agency, can the collection agency gain information regarding the amount I have left on my equity line of credit from my mortgage company?
May condo association board members act unilaterally?
By: reporter10 | 06-05-2008
In the state of California, may board members of a condominium association act unilaterally in making decisions, such as hiring someone to do something on the property without getting approval from other board members?
how to set up a Distribution list
By: GREENEYES0999 | 06-05-2008
I am trying to create a distribution list from an aol address; however,after I hit new list, name the distribution list, everything is fine until I type in add contacts, where at this point, I type in e-mail addresses, separated by commas. BUT I don't know to to save them to the list.I hit enter, nothing works.I looked up how to do it on the net but I don't have anything that says mail or address book when I open my account. Please Help.Patrice
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
Northern Rock Makes "encouraging" Progress
By: Beverley Bukowski | 17/05/2008
Northern Rock chairman Ron Sandler said in the report that the credit quality of their loans remained "satisfactory" in spite of the current harsh economic conditions. Indeed, the report said that the bank's loan facilities stood at £24.1 billion at the
5 Reasons You Should Consider Work At Home Jobs
By: Dee Power | 17/05/2008
If you've ever thought about work at home jobs here are five reasons why you should.
Flexibility - The Internet is open 24/7 which means you can work when you want to. You can work in the evenings, early morning, or on the weekends around your day job until your work...
My Internet Business Can Be Your Internet Business
By: Kevin Lynch | 17/05/2008
Many people dream of getting out of the rat race, of creating abundance and freedom and really having the life of their dreams. Many people long for the freedom that having their own business and creating their own life will bring them.
But how many actually do it?
There are a millions...
Business Loans And Business Cash Advances - Avoid Online Forms
By: Steve Bush | 17/05/2008
Business owners should anticipate that many commercial lenders will provide an online application for commercial loans and business cash programs on their website. It is important that business borrowers understand how to proceed in their search for viable working capital financing and why it is not in their best interest...
Start A Business And Bring Out The Entrepreneur In You
By: Naz Daud | 17/05/2008
What is entrepreneurialism? Have you ever thought how entrepreneurs get where they are? Did starting up a business ever crossed your mind? If you have an eight-to-five job have you thought of working any hours you wish?
Entrepreneurialism is not only working the hours that you want to work, but usually...
Work From Home - 3 Terrible Lies
By: Joseph Nyamache | 17/05/2008
Are you searching for a work from home opportunity? Walk with me now!
Has this ever happened to you? Picture this, you are surfing the internet, then you see this ad:
work from home.
15 Rebates a Day = $106,300 Per Year!
Start earning today.
But, you quickly brush that aside and continue browsing the...
Different Forms A Franchise Business Can Take
By: Naz Daud | 17/05/2008
The Franchise Business is probably not something new for you. You've probably heard about food and clothing establishments being franchised. But for those who do not have a clue, a franchise is a permission that is provided by the manufacturer or the owner to retailers or distributors to sell the...
How To Run A Coffee Shop That Makes Money
By: Tracey Beaney | 17/05/2008
As an experienced coffee shop owner Don Clarke knows that excellent interior design and comfortable surrounding will attract customers who are prepared to pay a little more for their coffee. Equally important is the volume of trade passing through your shop - your objective should be to move as many...
More from Gray Rollins
Learn About Fuel Catalysts
By: Gray Rollins | 29/07/2007 | Automotive
What would you say if I told you there's a product you could use that would increase your car's horsepower, decrease its emissions, and get you better gas mileage? You'd probably be totally for it or think I was completely insane. Well, I know of a product that...
How Are Hunting Dogs Trained?
By: Gray Rollins | 29/07/2007 | Pets
Information on training a hunting dog.
The term hunting dog is applied to any dog that is able to assist a human in the act of hunting. There are several different types of breeds of dogs that are quite useful as hunting dogs and each has a particularly unique and...
Training A Sled Dog
By: Gray Rollins | 29/07/2007 | Pets
Information about sled dogs and how they are trained.
Sled dogs are a group of dogs that are used to pull a vehicle that has no wheels but is set on runners over terrains of ice and snow. Sled dogs are attached to these vehicles by harnesses and lines. It is...
Why Most Ppc Advertisers Lose Money
By: Gray Rollins | 29/07/2007 | Business
There are affiliate marketers out there why rely mostly on ppc ads, and do well with their efforts. Then there are the affiliates who sink hundreds or thousands of dollars into PPC ads and get very little in return. What is the difference here? The ones who do well are...
Learn How Seeing Eye Dogs Are Trained
By: Gray Rollins | 27/07/2007 | Pets
Seeing eye dogs who are also referred as assistance dogs are trained to guide the blind and the visually impaired around obstacles that they would come across in daily life activities. Although these highly training guide dogs are able to guide their masters around obstacles being color blind they are...
Learn How A Guard Dog Is Trained
By: Gray Rollins | 27/07/2007 | Pets
Information about guard dogs and how they are trained.
A guard dog, also commonly known as a watchdog, is utilized to guard something (usual someone's home or a business) against things like unwanted intruders such as criminals or wild animals.
When a guard dog notices an unwanted creatures presence it begins to...
Learn How Police Dogs Are Trained
By: Gray Rollins | 26/07/2007 | Pets
A police dog is a dog trained specifically for the purpose of assisting police officers and other people in law enforcement with their work. Police dogs are commonly known in the United States as police K-9's.
German Shepard's are the dogs that come to mind the most when someone is...
A Guide On Setting And Creating A Running Training Program
By: Gray Rollins | 24/07/2007 | Sports and Fitness
Runner Training
Training is an important aspect of being a runner. Whether you are a beginner and you are looking to increase your stamina or you've been running for a while and want to run faster or train for an event such as a marathon, training is something that is an...
Business 
