Preview

Discuss and Critically Evaluate the Most Commonly Cited Characteristics Found in Successful Entrepreneur?

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2185 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Discuss and Critically Evaluate the Most Commonly Cited Characteristics Found in Successful Entrepreneur?
Discuss and critically evaluate the most commonly cited characteristics found in successful entrepreneur?

There has been extensive research conducted on the characteristics that successful entrepreneurs possess. These attributes vary widely across literature, however there are common key traits that are required to achieve any form of success. Frederick et al (2013) suggest entrepreneurs are risk takers, optimistic, have sound judgement and an ability to manage. While a review of literature relating to the psychology of an entrepreneur reveals a large variety of characteristics in a successful entrepreneur, these can be consolidated to a a few into only a few traits that are essential for a successful entrepreneur. Whilst taking into consideration Frederick et al (2013) point of view of key characteristic, other research suggests that there are further primary attributes that a successful entrepreneur necessitates.

The most important traits that all entrepreneurs must retain to have any form of success will be discussed with backing arguments from related literature. While there are many other characteristic, within the scope of this piece three essential traits are discussed. Of interest is the characteristics of confidence, while it will be the negative implications off excessive confidence will be outlined. Additionally, the ability to think creatively and innovative to help differentiate an entrepreneur from a manager or executive is to be analysed based on a example of Steve Jobs. Finally, leadership and it's importance to an entrepreneurs organisation to allow people to share the vision of the entrepreneur.

It will be argued that without confidence an entrepreneur cannot succeed, however, overconfidence can be a drawback to the point where it is destructive in a entrepreneurs venture. While, any successful entrepreneur must contain the traits of creativeness and have the ability to innovate where society requires a product or service and what



References: John R. Bessant, Joseph Tidd -2007 “Innovation and entrepreneurship” John Wiley & Sons, 2007 Fitzsimmons, Jason R. & Douglas, Evan J. (2005) “The Impact of Overconfidence on Entrepreneurial Intentions” Entrepreneurship Exchange, February, Auckland, N.Z

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    INT 601 Business Venture

    • 654 Words
    • 2 Pages

    You need to have incredible self-belief. If you lack that crucial element of confidence in your mental character, then going into business is not for you. Believing in yourself is what gives you the self-confidence that you need to be a good entrepreneur. Bear in mind that many successful entrepreneurs started out with nothing or very little, apart from self-esteem and confidence.…

    • 654 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Terracycle Interview

    • 1938 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Tom believes that the two most important characteristics an entrepreneur should have are, persistence and intuitiveness. These two characteristics undeniably assisted Tom in turning his idea into a reality. A persistent and intuitive…

    • 1938 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Connelly, et al (2000) argues that, “the nature of the leader capacities impact leader behavior and performance.” Baum and Locke (2004) study “contributes to the revival of interest in understanding the effects of entrepreneurs’ personal characteristics importance between relationship of traits and subsequent venture growth among entrepreneurs.”…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    There are 2 elements that are mentioned time and again by successful entrepreneurs as being crucial for success, to be precise the motivation and determination to succeed in your business venture and to make things happen. Successful entrepreneurs also have a healthy dose of self-confidence and an optimistic outlook on life. Entrepreneurs vary greatly, so there can be no one combination that defines an entrepreneur. However, research does suggest that a need for achievement, autonomy and an internal locus of control and a moderate tendency to take risks are key characteristics.…

    • 2447 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Optimism is essential when trying to do anything difficult because difficult things often take a long time. That optimism can carry you through the various stages as the long term unfolds. And it's the long term that matters”. Entrepreneurship – State of mind than working for yourself. Being Resourceful, Self-Reliant, Problem Solver.…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Business unit 1 revision

    • 3729 Words
    • 15 Pages

    . Willingness to take risks- possibly the most important quality of an entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs often invest their own personal funds in an idea for which there is no guarantee of success.…

    • 3729 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    case study

    • 1855 Words
    • 8 Pages

    how to be a successful entrepreneur are1. Mentality of taking risks: Guy Laliberte took a great risk by challenging the established…

    • 1855 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Entrepreneurial

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Commitment, determination, and perseverance are the only characteristics one needs to become a successful entrepreneur.…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Based on J.W. Marriott video, I think the two most important qualities required for an entrepreneur to be highly successful is “A willingness to find and accept a challenge” and “Family background”…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Characteristics of an Entrepreneur The foundation for your business, 2009. Avaliable from: . [13 Sept 2011]…

    • 2552 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Entrepreneur Behaviour

    • 11088 Words
    • 37 Pages

    This book is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike License. It is an adaptation of Open University’s “Entrepreneurial Behavior” provided under the identical Creative Commons license at http:// openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=397405. Open University is not part of, nor endorses this derivative work.…

    • 11088 Words
    • 37 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The foundation for success for any potential and current entrepreneur is the possession of the right set of character traits needed to pursue any innovation or invention. These may vary with the external environment and/ or the industry in which entrepreneur wishes to indulge in. This external environment is composed of political, economic, socio-cultural, technological and legal elements that are vital in the success of any entity. Entrepreneurs successfully combine new ideas and concepts, or bring existing ideas together in new ways. Past comparative research identifies a pattern of character traits such as spirituality, forgiveness, humility, gratitude, zest, hope and kindness as being present in most successful entrepreneur thus implying that character traits are vital in influencing individual entrepreneurs. Individual attributes are vital to entrepreneurship as individuals have a huge degree of variance in attitude and perception towards risk. [Avey et al., 2010], [Peterson and Seligman, 2004] and [Wright, 2010b]) Krueger and Brazeal (1994) suggested that individuals should be reliant upon the economic, socio-political climate that facilitate and support the entrepreneurial activities; which in turn influence character traits, and shapes individual motivation to allow them to pursue the entrepreneurship. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of major influences on entrepreneurs in general, whilst critically analysing the environment and the individual personal character that influence the entrepreneur to be specific.…

    • 2044 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Entrepreneurship Theories

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1). Psychological theories – As those developed by McClelland pay attention to personal traits, motives and incentives of an individual and conclude that entrepreneurs have a strong need for achievement. According to this theory, entrepreneurship get a boost when there are sufficient supply of individuals with certain psychological characteristics such as need for achievement self-reliance and risk taking. Some of the characteristics are formed during ones early upbringing.…

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * Self-Confidence: Every entrepreneur needs to be confident in themselves, their product and their business. You need to know that your product can truly help people and that you are charging prices that are both fair to you and your clients and I have self-confidence.…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    2. Which characteristics of a successful entrepreneur do you already have? Which ones would you need to develop? Discuss at least 5 characteristics that you have or want to develop. (3-5 sentences. 5.0 points)…

    • 544 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays