Characteristics Wheel

EntrepreneursEntrepreneurs

An entrepreneur is someone who is able to identify opportunities and act on them

No two entrepreneurs are exactly alike, yet they may share common traits

These characteristics can be learned with practice

ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH

OTHERS

VISIONARY

INDEPENDENT

FLEXIBLE

OPTIMISTIC

GOAL-ORIENTE

D

CREATIVE

ABLE TO MANAGE

RISK

RESOURCEFUL

MOTIVATED

HARD-WORKING

PERCEPTIVE

SELF-CONFIDEN

T

ENTREPRENEUR

SELF-CONFIDENTSELF-CONFIDENT

Successful entrepreneurs are realistic about what they can accomplish

They believe in themselves and in their ability to succeed.

They set attainable goals and approach them with confidence.

PERCEPTIVEPERCEPTIVE

Entrepreneurs are intuitive. They know what is going on. They are able to identify problems as they arise and find creative solutions.

HARD-WORKINGHARD-WORKING

Entrepreneurs work long and hard to achieve success. A successful entrepreneur needs the stamina that comes from good physical and mental health. To maintain energy, entrepreneurs must carefully balance their commitment to work with their commitment to other aspects of their lives, such as family and friends.

MOTIVATEDMOTIVATED

Entrepreneurs are driven by an internal need for accomplishment.

They will actively seek opportunities for success, both at work and elsewhere.

RESOURCEFULRESOURCEFUL

Entrepreneurs explore, ask questions, and generally use all their resources to find ways to achieve their goals.

They often develop a broad network of associates who can help them find ways to overcome obstacles in their paths.

ABLE TO MANAGE RISKABLE TO MANAGE RISK

Entrepreneurs view risk as a challenge to be overcome. They calculate and measure it and look for ways to gain control over the outcome. Entrepreneurs will take a risk if it is a calculated one—where the chances for success are greater than the chances for failure. They are willing to take on a certain degree of risk because of the potential rewards involved in being agents of change.

CREATIVECREATIVE

Entrepreneurs look at the world in new and different ways. They enjoy challenges and feel comfortable with ambiguity. They do not sit and wait for things to happen.Instead, entrepreneurs take charge of shaping the world around them in a way that benefits them and others.

GOAL-ORIENTEDGOAL-ORIENTED

Entrepreneurs work determinedly toward goals they have set for themselves. Once their initial goals are achieved, they set new goals and begin the process again. Personal satisfaction and the need for accomplishment give them momentum as they continue to move forward.

OPTIMISTICOPTIMISTIC

Entrepreneurs have a positive mental attitude. Minor setbacks or roadblocks do not discourage them. They believe they can touch the future and are enthusiastic about what it holds.

FLEXIBLEFLEXIBLE

Entrepreneurs are able to adjust to the changing marketplace, to technology, and to competition. If one idea doesn’t work the way they expect, they look for other options.

INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENT

Entrepreneurs need the freedom to make their own decisions and their own mistakes. They do not respond well to being managed by others. For this reason, they often leave secure jobs to move out on their own. Being the person in charge gives them control over their own destiny.

VISIONARYVISIONARY

Entrepreneurs have a vision of how things should be in the future.

This is what gives them the strength to continue step by step toward their goals.

To bring about the changes they foresee, they must not only understand their vision themselves but must also be able to communicate it to others.

ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERSOTHERS

Entrepreneurs seldom work alone. Most gather a team around them, carefully choosing team members who will help them realize their goals. Successful entrepreneurs have insight into the abilities and personalities of others, which enables them to build an effective team.

Entrepreneurial SkillsEntrepreneurial Skills

In addition to entrepreneurial characteristics, entrepreneurs require certain skills to ensure success ventures

These skills can be learned, but sometimes an entrepreneur must enter into a partnership or hire people with skills to complement their own

Skills InventorySkills Inventory

Good Communicators

Generate Ideas

Make Decisions

Solve problems

Negotiate

Lead Others

Identify Opportunities

Plan

Organize

Network

Market Their Ideas

Keep Records (financial and others)

Are Are youyou an entrepreneur??? an entrepreneur???

ACTIVITYACTIVITY

Get into groups of three or four.

Draw a picture detailing the anatomy of an entrepreneur.

The picture can be of anything (a person, a tree, etc.), but it should show as many of the characteristics of an entrepreneur as possible.

Each group will present their completed picture explaining the characteristics they interpreted.