One-third (36%) of entrepreneurs surveyed described themselves as introverts, compared to only 15% who said they were all-out extroverts. UK Is a Nation of 'Entrepreneurs', New Virgin Money Research Says. The findings are part of Virgin Money's campaign to celebrate the “Upstarts”, the people who have taken the leap and launched a business on their own. Most successful entrepreneurs around the world today are introverts. This is because introversion produces a number of distinct benefits.
Introverts tend to hear more than they talk, which is great for collecting feedback and understanding customers. In addition, entrepreneurs on the introverted side of the personality spectrum tend to be more independent and comfortable working alone, which is usually necessary in the early days of setting up a business. You probably recognize Bill Gates as the founder of Microsoft and someone who is now worth billions of dollars. Gates started out as a lonely introvert, but used the people around him to supplement his own strengths and weaknesses. Warren Buffet, founder and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the richest people in the world and a leading figure in investing.
He is also known for his wisdom, intellectual persistence, and critical thinking. He is an introvert by nature, but he still manages to lead one of the most prominent businesses in the country. Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg was once described by COO Sheryl Sandberg as “shy and introverted, and often doesn't seem very warm to people who don't know him, but he's warm. Zuckerberg has been able to build charisma through his introversion, however contradictory it may seem. Some of the most extroverted entrepreneurs may have an air of certainty and self-possession, but they are more likely to admit they are wrong than you imagine.
Entrepreneurship requires getting used to operating in uncharted territory, with little first-hand experience to deal with a new situation. Being an introvert doesn't mean entrepreneurship is impossible for you, it doesn't even mean it has to be difficult. If you can't make a decision without having a full and clear view of the circumstances, you might not make it as an entrepreneur. The important thing to remember for the introverted entrepreneur is, as Cain advises, to put himself in the right stimulation zone for you. As an introverted entrepreneur, you can apply Grant's findings to your own business by encouraging employees to talk and make suggestions.
It's not that facing ongoing uncertainty is an exciting experience for all founders, or that every successful entrepreneur has unwavering confidence in pikes. Unlike those who require the security (real or imaginary) of a full-time job, successful entrepreneurs have a greater fear of getting stuck in their comfort zones and not reaching their potential. Not all entrepreneurs have personalities that exude optimism, but they all possess it deep down, largely because of this ability for detached and tenacious experimentation. No matter how their personalities differ, successful entrepreneurs know how to move on despite the inevitable awkwardness of stepping out of their comfort zones. The key is to play the hand you are dealt so that you can thrive as an entrepreneur in an unpredictable environment. The main character traits among 1000 small business owners and real-life entrepreneurs surveyed across the UK were consideration (62 percent), flexibility (61 percent) and consideration (57 percent), qualities typically associated with the most introverted personality types.
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