Truly radical and influencing entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Elon Musk not only built empires, but they made their mark on the world around them. They created solutions that people not only needed, but openly embraced. So how can you make your mark as an entrepreneur? The first thing that you as an entrepreneur need to do is to establish your purpose and goals. Maybe you are not about to create a non-government space agency or create software that will simplify virtually everything for people, but you have an idea that will make a task or a problem a thing of the past for your customers. This could even mean that you are just taking an existing problem-solving product or service and improving upon it. If so, this just might be your legacy and your own path to success as an entrepreneur.
Goals, plans and visions can often not match up with reality, but revisiting your purpose will keep you on track and will bring you one step closer to ultimate success. “Plan A” might not work. But even while you are trying to make it work, you need to think about how “Plan B” will improve your offering and elevate the chances of your purpose becoming reality. On your journey to success, you need to identify your signature strengths and talents that make you the person to fulfill your purpose. As you build upon your strengths and talents, you should also realize your weaknesses and know where and when to bring in experts that can take up those roles, or help you personally.
Learn to collaborate, rather than isolating yourself from those who can help you. You know your skills that you bring to your purpose. Surround yourself with people who share your vision. The people you want to surround yourself with may not share your skill set, but their skills may complement what you are trying to accomplish. For example, entrepreneurs who do not know how to set up and run an office will often look at turnkey office solutions with a serviced office provider – thus giving them more time to focus on their core skills and not worry about running an office.
Great entrepreneurs and genuine leaders become part of a team, rather than trying to tower over it. You want to lead your team to help fulfill your purpose, but you do not want to be “That Boss” that is not really a leader. Just recognizing that there is a difference between being a leader and being a boss is the first step in being a great leader. A great leader develops first-hand knowledge of the challenges the team faces and understands them inside-out.
When you are trying to immerse yourself in your team and be part of creating a path to fulfill your purpose, you often need to step out of that corner office (or remove it completely) and work alongside your team in a team space atmosphere.