5 ms·

What Are The 2 Most Important Traits in An Entrepreneur?

26 points by eladgil 16y ago

smysore 16y ago
I'm curious as to why you think charisma is sometimes a negative influencer of success?
- eladgil 16y ago
  If you meet a number of founders of really big companies, in many cases they are sort of awkward, introverted people. The salesy, flashy people may be really good at convincing, but sometimes they can get away with less execution. This can be a good or bad thing depending on the type of startup and the market it is in. There are also obvious examples of highly charismatic people who build big companies (e.g. Steve Jobs). As an aside, I think Mike Moritz (investor in Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, etc.) also mentions something along the lines of "awkward/shy founders are often the ones who do big things" in a recent video interview (maybe the TechCrunch one?) I am not sure what the cause is. Maybe inward focus helps build a great product and ignore feedback from people trying to influence your vision in the wrong direction? While charisma suggests being strongly attuned to others, whose feelings you may hurt by forging your own path? I dont know...
  - draycox 16y ago
    Alas, my introversion might actually benefit me.
  - keiferski 16y ago
    You're equating tech entrepreneurs with entrepreneurs on the whole. There's a big business world outside of tech. Case in point: Richard Branson. Arguably one of the most charismatic entrepreneurs around.
    - eladgil 16y ago
      Agreed, charisma can be a huge asset. But it is not necessarily an indicator of a good entrepreneur, and it is not a pre-requisite. I think the other 2 traits are :)
stevenj 16y ago
As a single founder, I'm finding that the most important trait is not giving up. Just keep trying. March on.
deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
turoczy 16y ago
Thanks for choosing the word "tenacious." I get so tired of hearing that entrepreneurs need to be "stubborn." Tenacity differs from stubbornness, and I'm really happy to see you make that distinction.
- prknight 16y ago
  Same goes for words like hustle or pigheadedness. I think grit maybe an even better way to state it. Stubbornness and tenacity can work for or against an entrepreneur or business. (comment inspired by reading http://andymckenzie.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-can-we-measure-grit.html http://andymckenzie.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-can-we-measure...)
efsavage 16y ago
1. Persistence 2. Persistence Everything else is negotiable. I'd disagree with tenaciousness as opposed to persistence because I think it implys a zeal that is important for early success, but less so for success in the long run.
- eladgil 16y ago
  Persistence is a good way to put it too. Seems like the interpretation of the terms are similar. From Google "define persistent" or "define tenacious"... Search Results te·na·cious/təˈnāSHəs/Adjective 1. Not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, a position, or a principle: "a tenacious grip". 2. Not easily dispelled or discouraged; persisting in existence or in a course of action: "a tenacious legend". per·sist·ent/pərˈsistənt/Adjective 1. Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. 2. Characterized by a specified habitual behavior pattern, esp. a dishonest or undesirable one.
daimyoyo 16y ago
I think the two traits are simply a complete belief in your idea, and the willingness to work as hard as need be to make it successful. I think that as long as you have these two things(and your idea doesn't suck) that you'll be successful.
switch 16y ago
1) Not reading articles about 'x most important traits of an entrepreneur'. 2) Not giving up.

26 points by eladgil 16y ago

smysore 16y ago

I'm curious as to why you think charisma is sometimes a negative influencer of success?

eladgil 16y ago
If you meet a number of founders of really big companies, in many cases they are sort of awkward, introverted people. The salesy, flashy people may be really good at convincing, but sometimes they can get away with less execution. This can be a good or bad thing depending on the type of startup and the market it is in. There are also obvious examples of highly charismatic people who build big companies (e.g. Steve Jobs). As an aside, I think Mike Moritz (investor in Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, etc.) also mentions something along the lines of "awkward/shy founders are often the ones who do big things" in a recent video interview (maybe the TechCrunch one?) I am not sure what the cause is. Maybe inward focus helps build a great product and ignore feedback from people trying to influence your vision in the wrong direction? While charisma suggests being strongly attuned to others, whose feelings you may hurt by forging your own path? I dont know...
- draycox 16y ago
  Alas, my introversion might actually benefit me.
- keiferski 16y ago
  You're equating tech entrepreneurs with entrepreneurs on the whole. There's a big business world outside of tech. Case in point: Richard Branson. Arguably one of the most charismatic entrepreneurs around.
  - eladgil 16y ago
    Agreed, charisma can be a huge asset. But it is not necessarily an indicator of a good entrepreneur, and it is not a pre-requisite. I think the other 2 traits are :)

stevenj 16y ago

As a single founder, I'm finding that the most important trait is not giving up. Just keep trying. March on.

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

turoczy 16y ago

Thanks for choosing the word "tenacious." I get so tired of hearing that entrepreneurs need to be "stubborn." Tenacity differs from stubbornness, and I'm really happy to see you make that distinction.

prknight 16y ago
Same goes for words like hustle or pigheadedness. I think grit maybe an even better way to state it. Stubbornness and tenacity can work for or against an entrepreneur or business. (comment inspired by reading http://andymckenzie.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-can-we-measure-grit.html http://andymckenzie.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-can-we-measure...)

efsavage 16y ago

1. Persistence 2. Persistence Everything else is negotiable. I'd disagree with tenaciousness as opposed to persistence because I think it implys a zeal that is important for early success, but less so for success in the long run.

eladgil 16y ago
Persistence is a good way to put it too. Seems like the interpretation of the terms are similar. From Google "define persistent" or "define tenacious"... Search Results te·na·cious/təˈnāSHəs/Adjective 1. Not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, a position, or a principle: "a tenacious grip". 2. Not easily dispelled or discouraged; persisting in existence or in a course of action: "a tenacious legend". per·sist·ent/pərˈsistənt/Adjective 1. Continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. 2. Characterized by a specified habitual behavior pattern, esp. a dishonest or undesirable one.

daimyoyo 16y ago

I think the two traits are simply a complete belief in your idea, and the willingness to work as hard as need be to make it successful. I think that as long as you have these two things(and your idea doesn't suck) that you'll be successful.

switch 16y ago

1) Not reading articles about 'x most important traits of an entrepreneur'. 2) Not giving up.