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What Makes a Good Entrepreneur?
The same things that make a good person.
What makes a good entrepreneur?
Some time ago, when asked in front of a class of MBA students, I can’t recall my soundbite answer. It probably included things like strong work ethic, adaptability, willingness to do the dirty work, etc.
That’s all true. But a longer answer is worth some thought. Because some people are just better cut out for entrepreneurship than others. Some of it you can teach, some of it you can’t.
But what makes a good one? Certainly that depends on how you define ‘good.’ Let’s use Webster’s definition: “Of a favorable character or tendency.”
Favorable character? Aren’t entrepreneurs supposed to be all about making money?
No. People who are all about making money are greedy jerks.
Entrepreneurs are all about building an independent life on their own terms, with people they trust and whose trust they earn and constantly work to keep.
Inevitably, people who worked with a good entrepreneur will rush to work with them again, even after a failed venture. People who worked with a greedy jerk won’t.
At times I’ve heard otherwise smart, enterprising people invoke the worn out “Greed is Good” theme. A load of…
