What kind of people can be Entrepreneurs?

What kind of people can be entrepreneurs? Creative? Bold? Rebellious?

Not necessarily.

Harvard Business School conducted a psychological test on 4,000 leaders who are successful entrepreneurs and 1,800 leaders who clam themselves as general managers but not as entrepreneurs.

Below are the 3 findings they have.

Uncertainty instead of creativity

Entrepreneurs are not usually creative, on the contrary to what we always think. But they enjoy changing, constantly. The openness to new experience and the need to restlessly explore and learn broaden the border of their knowledge, thus larger space for imagination. Because the only limitation of creativity is knowledge.

Comfortable with risk instead of enjoying it

Entrepreneurs like most of the people, are risk-averse. They build businesses to minimize the risk and maximize the return. However, when in a situation whereby risk is inevitable, they are more willing to accept and live with it than conventional managers. In the nowadays’ fast-paced macroeconomic environment, not only uncertainty is spiraling up, together there is the number of entrepreneurs. They may have just the same level of tough-mindedness, hardiness or resilience as other leaders. But they like to swim in uncertainty. They see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Ownership instead of egotism

Another prevailing view is that entrepreneurs are extremely ambitious personally and professionally. But the test suggests less dominance and more ownership. They want to be in the middle of the buzz, participate and drive the initiatives. Long after Apple had become big, Steve Jobs was still the artisans with his hands on the wet clay, being in part of every critical design discussion. They own the product, they have pride in it and they are always ready to sell it anytime, anywhere to anyone.

Test if you are entrepreneurial?

choose one option from each of the following word pairs.

proven or potential

set or open

consistency or flexibility

own or manage

suggest or direct

lead or participate

shape or control

captain or navigator

ownership or title

grace or power

profit or equity

aspire or accomplish

Now, you should know the answer.