Enjoy this week’s guest post by Dr. Michele D’Amico, CPC, CELC!
There are certain types of people who can take the heat of being an entrepreneur. If you’re reading this, you may be one of them or are at least asking yourself if you are one of them. An entrepreneur wears many different hats, at least in the beginning. In addition to a strong drive to succeed and an innovative spirit, entrepreneurship requires a variety of skills. Whether you already have these skills or you acquire them along the way, here’s a list of 11 skills that I think are essential when embarking on this journey.
Time/Project Management
Strong time and project management skills are essential for the planning and strategic execution of business goals.
Strategic Thinking
Challenges require strategy. In the beginning many entrepreneurs are on a tight budget. Learning how to take a challenge apart and find creative and innovative solutions that fit within budget and provide growth opportunities is a strength that will never let you down.
Curiosity
Bring curiosity to every encounter whether it’s potential clients, employees, challenges or opportunities. Curiosity breeds innovation. Ask questions, be inquisitive, show interest.
Adaptability
Keeping many balls in the air at once and being able to switch from one task to another quickly and with ease is a skill the entrepreneur will use every day! This adaptability is the foundation for creative and innovative thinking.
Communication
Clear, strong and curious communication skills serve as the basis for all interactions. People do business with people they trust. Ask questions. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Your integrity depends on it.
Relationship Building
Growing your network provides opportunities and partnerships. Building and leveraging relationships is like the ripple in the pond effect. You don’t have to know everyone personally, but your network has a network, and their network has a network…
Finance
Understanding the financial aspects of your business is paramount to your success even if this is the first hire on your list because numbers aren’t your thing. Keeping a close eye on the finances is a no-brainer. Investment vs ROI!
Resilience
Some call this grit. The tenacity to get up every day and fight the good fight! Rejection, lost opportunities, challenges, stress and burnout are real when in business for yourself. Cultivating resilience is a must.
Branding
Know your brand and be consistent across all marketing and outreach. Know your ideal client.
Sales
Creating new opportunities and converting them into sales is a daily entrepreneurial ‘to do’. You can’t grow your business without sales. Get comfortable with it.
Self-Care
Yes, it’s a skill. One that must be cultivated and developed, especially for entrepreneurs. Even though this is last on the list, it shouldn’t be for you. Self-care is imperative to avoid burnout. So, whatever self-care is for you – the beach, working out, massage, dinner with a friend or spending quality time with your family – do not, I repeat, do not forget self-care.
Michele started her coaching career while putting herself through school to obtain a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. She is also a Marshall Goldsmith Certified Coach. Prior to that she was in B2B sales in the telecommunications industry and started her early career in marketing for a computer software company. She is the Founder of Vetta, an executive coaching and organizational training and development firm in Los Angeles and loves entrepreneurs!
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