Seven Characteristics of Entrepreneurs

An entrepreneur dares to put into action plans that they're passionate about. Those with an entrepreneurial attitude share a series of characteristics. We talk about them here.

Written and verified by the psychologist Elena Sanz.

Last update: 30 September, 2022

Entrepreneurs are the movers and shakers of the world. In fact, it’s thanks to their vision and perspective, that we move forward as a society. They make what others only imagine or don’t even see as possible, happen. Indeed, they’re valuable human beings and possess specific characteristics. If you want to find out about them, keep reading.

It’s estimated that there are some 582 million entrepreneurs in the world. Furthermore, entrepreneurship is on the rise. Below, we explore what makes these people so special.

The definition of entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship usually refers to the idea of creating new companies or businesses. However, this isn’t necessarily always the case. In fact, being an entrepreneur is more of an attitude. It can be applied in the field of self-employment, but also implemented in jobs for others or even in cultural and social ways.

An entrepreneur is someone who has an innovative idea, which they turn into a project that they carry out by their own means. They assume both the risks and the consequences. They dare to create and implement plans that materialize the vision that they’re passionate about.

Characteristics of entrepreneurs

There are different types of entrepreneurs. In each of them, some qualities stand out more than others.

Everyone needs to delegate or seek support to a certain extent to face those tasks in which they’re least skilled. However, there are a number of characteristics that are usually shared by entrepreneurs.

1. Creativity and vision

An entrepreneur has a different perspective of the world, an open and creative mind, and divergent thinking. They’re excellent at spotting opportunities and identifying areas or niches of value that have yet to be filled or developed.

They think outside the box, go beyond what’s been established, and open themselves to a world of possibilities. If it doesn’t already exist, they’ll create it themselves.

2. Initiative

Creativity, ideas, and dreams are useless if action isn’t taken. An entrepreneur is a person with initiative, capable of deploying all their resources to materialize their plans. They don’t wait for outside approval or support and don’t need to have a safety net to jump. They do it because they believe in their mission.

They’re able to knock on doors, look for solutions, and solve problems with great diligence. Furthermore, they’re not afraid to learn and they’re not paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.

3. Passion and enthusiasm

These are people who are truly passionate about what they spend their time and energy on. Their plans represent their ikigai (or life mission). This means that they tend to develop them with ease and enthusiasm. It’s this conviction and energy that allows them to persuade others, whether they’re investors or clients, and make their ideas prosper.

4. Direction, focus, and discipline

Entrepreneurs know where they’re going and usually possess good organizational skills. They know how to draw up a viable plan and follow it with discipline and perseverance. Without this quality, any attempt to create will fail. That’s because it’s necessary to take consecutive steps, without losing sight of the goal and without falling into the kind of complacency that can cause stagnation.

5. Resilience and flexibility

Most entrepreneurial success stories are riddled with setbacks, falls, and changes of course. Indeed, one of the main characteristics of these people is resilience, the ability to face adversity and to come out of it strengthened.

They don’t give up at the first obstacle. In fact, if something fails, they don’t give up at all but seek to approach it in a different way. In effect, they learn from each experience and, instead of sticking to rigid ways of proceeding, they’re open to making changes.

6. High self-confidence

Carrying out plans can be really complicated. In addition to passion and discipline, the entrepreneurial individual is characterized by self-confidence. Knowing that they’re capable, prepared, and possess the necessary qualities gives them the drive to venture forward.

While confidence and knowledge are important, in reality, entrepreneurship isn’t so much about what an individual is like, but about how they perceive themselves. For example, someone who suffers from impostor syndrome won’t be able to be an entrepreneur. That’s because they don’t trust their worth or the value of what they have to offer.

7. Desire for freedom and autonomy

Finally, entrepreneurial people often have a great desire for freedom. They’re able to choose the course of their business, the hours they invest, and the improvements they implement. This kind of autonomy is really motivating for them.

Contrary to other people who prefer to evade that degree of responsibility and simply fulfill their duties, entrepreneurs find being 100 percent involved in their plans exciting.

Entrepreneurial skills can be learned

The entrepreneurial attitude combines a series of clear qualities. Some people, due to their own personality, or the upbringing they received, present them to a greater degree from an early age.

However, all of them can be encouraged and developed. So if you feel an entrepreneurial spark within you, but it’s not yet strong enough, working on the above characteristics will help you develop this part of you. A part that you maybe didn’t even know about.