Odds are…Yes and it’s Probably Filled with Head, Heart or Chutzpa
The world is fascinated by entrepreneurs. This elite group of people who seem to turn anything they touch to gold. Who have the determination and drive to accept nothing less than success. Who can parlay an idea into an icon, an endeavor into an enterprise. We all know the names Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, and what they’ve done with their chutzpa. But what about Wade G or Mike C or anyone else with a passion for something?
In the book Heart, Smarts, Guts and Luck, authors Anthony K. Tjan, Richard J. Harrington and Tsun-Yan Hsieh share the qualities that surface time and again in people who successfully achieve their goals and they found four common traits – heart, smarts, guts and luck. So are you:
- Heart-dominant, like chef Alice Waters or Starbucks’s Howard Schultz?
- Smarts-dominant, like Warren Buffet or Amazon’s Jeff Bezos?
- Guts-dominant, like Nelson Mandela or Virgin’s Richard Branson?
- Or luck-dominant, like Tony Hsieh of Zappos?
Heart Dominant
These are the artists of the business world, destined to be founder and visionary. Stubborn when it comes to an idea, but it’s because they already have the three-act narrative bursting in their head. They care deeply about what they’re doing and will express their vision to anyone who will listen. The journey towards achieving their goal is a rewarding experience in and of itself, and they tend to value the intrinsic (e.g. sense of a meaningful role) as much as the extrinsic (e.g. money). They are inspired by a deep purpose that drives their decision-making ahead of everything else.
Smarts Dominant
Historically, these folks are bright/intellectually driven, and often described as highly talented. Whether they have book smarts, street smarts, people or creative smarts, the distinguishing factor is that they navigate decisions rationally and analytically. They have a better than average capacity and ability to recognize patterns and consider these patterns, from past experience and others’ opinions, before making critical decisions.
Guts Dominant
When the path forward requires decisiveness or bold action, these are the people to revel. They make the tough call, even if it’s unpopular. They “tell it like it is”, possess a grueling work ethic and persevere through risks when needed. This ‘get things done’ attitude complements their admirable stoicism. They maintain an even keel while others may be more reactionary as conditions change. Ultimately, this ability to deal with change is one of their greatest strengths.
Luck Dominant
How did these folks get to be so lucky? Things just tend to work out for them – whether through a fortuitous relationship, an unexpected opportunity or sheer happenstance. Whether aware of it or not, though, they’ve probably influenced their luck through a combination of attitude and network. They possess the trifecta of humility, intellectual curiosity and optimism. They are self-confident yet nonjudgmental, have a voracious appetite for learning and believe in possibilities. Well-liked by their peers, these people tend to make things happen by building authentic relationships.
From the person just starting out to build a name for an artful cupcakery to the seasoned CEO delving into a new venture, entrepreneurs hold a combination of these attributes with a bias towards one, especially in decision-making. Knowing which trait drives you will help lead you to greater self-awareness and likelihood of success. Take thisEntrepreneurial Aptitude Test and start making your future.