What is the entrepreneurial mindset?
The entrepreneurial mindset is an exciting mix of hard and soft skills that an individual can use to execute a courageous yet necessary business solution within a specific industry. In this article, inspiration from entrepreneur Bernhard Burgener will be shared, providing upcoming entrepreneurs, like you, with the right tools to make an idea come to life.
Unbox your creative spirit
The first sign of success in an entrepreneur is the ability to think creatively about a problem. This starts with understanding the definition of an idea versus creativity. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an idea is “a plan for action.” On the other hand, creativity is “to bring into existence.”
Bernhard Burgener suggests cultivating both skills, idea making and creative launching, to unleash the ultimate entrepreneurial mentality. An original idea is hard to create today, let alone launch. Burgener encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to think about both ends of the process. Initially, the goal is to develop a unique idea for an industry. Then, the next goal is to launch that idea and turn it into a profitable product for an extended period. Cultivating both sets of skills will only guarantee better outcomes.
Burgener provides some tips on unboxing the creative spirit daily as an exercise. He suggests two elements that can assist in getting creative as an aspiring entrepreneur.
Get to the root of problems
Using the “five whys” technique is a great way to explore the root cause of an issue. Entrepreneurs can use this method to determine essential information about a product, audience, marketing idea, or internal workplace issue.
Especially in business, the five whys are an important exercise to implement regularly. All successful founders will have a straightforward method of narrowing down issues and solving deep problems. Burgener says this is a great avenue to think like the entrepreneur you’ve always dreamed of becoming.
Write and draw ideas down
Emotion can sometimes take a toll on business matters. The benefit of writing problems down and drawing out ideas is that it helps the human mind think of complex matters in a simplified light.
Burgener says that writing and drawing are two of the best ways to track the thinking process and clarify a creative idea’s direction. Writing and drawing also hold us accountable, as anything that needs to get done is out of mind and onto paper – not bogged down by the chaos of the brain.
Manage people with strength
As creative idea-makers, some aspiring entrepreneurs may need help sticking to a singular vision. Despite the challenge, Burgener suggests that staying on a path with one goal in mind is the key to business success. With one goal, creative ideas can flourish even more. The mind naturally needs a skeletal structure to lean on in creative business ventures.
The skill to manage teams comes from the same ability to carry out creative ideas with a single vision in mind. Leading people through business pursuits requires clarity and strong organizational skills. Managing others means keeping multiple workers on a clear path to success based on one idea.
Along your business journey, Burgener says, there will come multiple instances of managing others for the greater good of innovation. Managing others may appear in various forms, including C-suite team meetings, client check-ins, and developer feedback sessions. In all these cases, keeping an end goal at the forefront of attention is vital to keeping everything organized. One must ask, what am I trying to achieve as an entrepreneur running this business or product?
Burgener shares some tips on managing people with more confidence. He notes three guiding factors below that will provide a steadier path in management as an entrepreneur.
Equip yourself with empathy
Empathy is the ultimate way to find yourself providing solutions more often, satisfying the needs of employees and clients, and understanding how minds respond to marketing efforts. This soft skill is noticed by almost everyone with whom an entrepreneur interacts.
Everyone in business can understand if a leader has spent time acquiring empathy to solve human problems more effectively. In turn, employees and colleagues have a better time working with authenticity and honesty.
Learn how to prioritize time
Time management is the top skill for organizing important work tasks, health needs, and family time. One must balance work and home life, as well as a steady pace during the workday.
Burgener advises investing more time in prioritization, as workers have more respect for those who have honed this skill. Employees will also be happier knowing their manager has worked hard to make their day more efficient, steady, and calm.
Ensure effective communication
Above all, effective communication is critical to a smooth work environment. When a manager knows the struggles of their workers, more improvements can be made. In addition, there is a higher level of trust among key players, providing space for a company or product to thrive in the long term.
Sticking to that singular vision is only made possible with solid communication. This means remaining transparent, honest, and respectful to team members involved in a task or campaign. Being open as an entrepreneur is a sure way to gain trust and empathy from others along the journey.
Think ahead in your industry
If you’re reading this article, you are clearly on the path to creating something needed in the world. Use this passion and way of thinking to stay ahead in whatever industry you’re looking to uplift. The more forward-thinking you orient yourself, the more ready you’ll be to tackle unexpected instances, such as restructuring business leadership or releasing new products against competitors.
Burgener says that becoming an entrepreneur is entirely worth the time and energy. Focusing on a solution that millions benefit from is one of the most rewarding accomplishments one may experience in a career. Whatever the pain point of a consumer audience, becoming the person who fixes the issue is an inspiring and honorable pursuit.
