Entrepreneurs and Intrepreneurs

The dictionary defines an entrepreneur as a person who organizes, operates and assumes the risk for a business venture. Our New Economy demands an entrepreneurial spirit. It used to be that employers didn’t want entrepreneurs working for them. They were afraid the entrepreneurial type would leave after being trained up-perhaps even become a competitor.

Today, progressive employers want entrepreneurs on their staff. They might not refer to them as entrepreneurs, but that’s what they are. I call them intrepreneurs-men and women who harbor the entrepreneurial spirit while working in a larger organization. As more and more good people leave the W-2 world to become free agents, talent, ambition and experience will be that much more in demand. The wise employer will encourage an independent entrepreneurial spirit.

The employer of the next century will look for ways to attract and nurture their existence. He or she will set up win-win relationships that allow for independent contracts. What we really want to do is treat our job like it was our own business. In doing so, we maximize our value to our employer and at the same time maximize our individual value.

What are some of the qualities of an entrepreneur? Here are a few:

Vision. An entrepreneur sees what is not yet there. They have the ability to envision something different, something better.

Creativity. Someone with an entrepreneurial mind is innovative. They can take circumstances or pieces of information and reorder them to make something completely different.

Persistence. Entrepreneurs are self-starters. They don’t need a lot of supervision or much structure. They have stick-to-it-iveness. They work hard and get things done.

Resilience. Entrepreneurs are resilient. They get back up after being knocked down. Entrepreneurs aren’t easily discouraged and they don’t quit.

Goal Setting. Entrepreneurs know the principles of goal setting. They have measurable objectives, are clear on what they want, determine the obstacles to getting there and have a plan of action to accomplish their goals.

Passion. An entrepreneur loves what they do, and the quality of their work shows it. They have passion for their industry, their business and their projects.

Change. The entrepreneurial type leverages change. They seem to thrive on chaos. And turmoil will continue to be the norm.

Enthusiasm. A good entrepreneur has the ability to sell others on their ideas. They get others excited by their vision, their belief and their enthusiasm.

Risk. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers. They’re not reckless; they take calculated risks. Security isn’t something they need. They know that in life, there’s no real security-only opportunity.

Entrepreneurs are made, not born. To paraphrase Zig Ziglar, we’ve never seen where an entrepreneur was born, but we’ve seen where they’ve died. So, somewhere between birth and death, by choice or by training, they became an entrepreneur, and so can you. By developing an entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll become more successful, whether in your own business or someone else’s organization. Your value will increase, your income will rise, and you will succeed.