#1) Ability to communicate vision and instill passion
Listed as the number one biggest strength by an overwhelming 70% of the finalists. Makes sense right? Think about it — you’re the founder, so you’re the leader. And of course it’s your vision. So you better have the ability to communicate it in a passionate way. Steve Jobs was a master at this. His ability to inspire the troops and clearly communicate to the world his story played a huge role in the success of Apple.
Your Action?: Learn public speaking. Learn how to write (read: copywriting, not English literature). Seriously, addressing these two areas alone will amp your skill in communication and persuasion.
#2) Ability to identify and develop talent
Let this sink in to your head: the best entrepreneurs have the best teams. Period. In matters not whether you think you are a one-man (or woman) band. You’re not. You need a team. So it figures a key strength of top entrepreneurs is their nose for talent — and more importantly, their ability to nurture it. Basically, the knack to get the most out of people. Ironically, your capacity to make this happen requires you to nail #1 above first.
Your Action?: Once you can communicate your vision and instill passion, you can secure talent. Generally speaking, your network is your friend here. Tap into your trusted associates to search for, learn about and snag worthy team members.
#3) Ability to see around the corner
In other words, the greatest entrepreneurs in the world have crystal balls. Yes — they can see what’s coming. Think about it: Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Reed Hastings and so on. Every one of them could see something that most could not. A bold vision for the future. An opportunity where none really existed previously. An ability to see around the corner.
Your Action?: This is a tough one. It’s almost like a natural gift you’re born with. Now I suppose you could develop and nurture the skills of creativity, ‘conceptual blending’ and open-minded thinking. But in my opinion as a 30 year veteran of entrepreneurship, you either have this trait, or you don’t.
#4) Ability to listen to advice
Jumping off the page of this exhaustive report is something so simple, but yet so profound — the most successful entrepreneurs have coaches, mentors and advisors. Yes — they’re smart entrepreneurs. Yes — they have unbelievable vision and talent. But no — they don’t have all the answers. So if they’re at the top of their game and are adamant about building a solid team of counsel around them, why wouldn’t you do the same? It’s like my Forbes article on Peyton Manning. Goodness, if a guy with this kind of talent, experience and skill needs a coach, we all need one.
Your Action?: There is no other way to say this: find someone to mentor, coach or advise you. Period. I personally run into many entrepreneurs who just fly by the seat of their pants. Funny thing is — most end up shredded and in tatters.
#5) Decisiveness
Sit around on your bottom long enough and you start slipping backwards. Wildly successful entrepreneurs take action. Yes — they gather the facts. And yes — they get input and weigh the possible outcomes. But then they pull the trigger. They’re decisive and take the necessary action to move forward. Entrepreneur Nolan Bushnell said it best: “The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”
Your Action?: Listen — you will not make perfect decisions. There is no such thing. It is far better to take action than to not. Learn to be decisive and pull the trigger.
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