Skip to content

February 21, 2009

20

Five Critical Skills That Entrepreneurs Need

What are the five critical skills entrepreneurs need in order to be successful?

According to serial entrepreneur, executive, technical innovator, and author Jerry Kaplan it’s the following:

=

Skill 1: Leadership

An ability to build consensus in the face of uncertainty.

Skill 2: Communication

The ability to keep a clear and consistent message.

Skill 3: Decision Making

Or more importantly, knowing when to make a decision.

Skill 4: Being a Good Team Player

Knowing when to trust and when to delegate.

Skill 5: Ability to Telescope

To focus in on the details and then move back to the bigger picture.

Running Time:8:59
Source: http://edcorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=366

Did Jerry hit on the critical skills needed to be an entrepreneur? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this post consider subscribing to the feed to have future posts delivered to you. Also be sure to sign up for our newsletter below.

20 Comments Post a comment
  1. Feb 22 2009

    You should be able to inspire the people around you, they should be feeding off your passion and desire to succeed.

  2. Add “action” to the mix.
    Entrepreneur is “Doer” not a “Sitter” :)
    My favorite mantra is “Think less, do more. Revise and Improve.”

  3. Feb 22 2009

    I’d also add creativity. You have to be able to think creatively about problems and solve them in unusual ways.

  4. smallbizbee
    Feb 23 2009

    @Chris
    Inspiring passion in others is also a great trait for a leader…and usually leaders make pretty good entrepreneurs.

    Thanks for adding to the list!

    Matt

  5. smallbizbee
    Feb 23 2009

    @Alik
    Yep, just doing something, anything, will get you a long way. We had a conversation on the blog a couple days ago about those with biz plans were usually more likely to continue with their biz planning activiites. Not becuase they wrote a biz plan, but becuase they took the first step in doing something!

    Appreciate you adding to our list,

    Matt

  6. smallbizbee
    Feb 23 2009

    @Allen
    Agree 100%. Great entrepreneurs usually solve a problem or approach their biz in a way thier competition does not, this creativity is their first competitive advantage.

    Thanks for adding to this,

    Matt

  7. maria
    Mar 6 2009

    i think that the most important skill is leadership, because leadership have all of the other skills include.

  8. smallbizbee
    Mar 6 2009

    @maria
    You know, you make a good point…and I don’t know that I’ve thought about it that way before. But a good leader usually embodies all the other traits we mention above. Thanks for pointing that out.

    Matt

  9. Excellent information you have my compliments, and I don’t give them very often. I have been an entrepreneur all my life and only the past couple of years have I really gotten into it, thus I am constantly searching for the best info for entrepreneurs and after visiting your blog a few times I have decided that you are definitely among the best.

  10. Aug 11 2011

    In my opinion one of the most important quality an entrepreneur should have is a dynamic character and being able to take tough decisions without hesitation
    Online Opportunities´s last blog ..4 Approaches to Writing Creative Guest Post ContentMy ComLuv Profile

  11. Aug 18 2011

    These are the most required skills by the entrepreneurs.
    Recipes with Twist´s last blog ..Raw Papaya Salad for a healthy food habit.My ComLuv Profile

  12. Aug 24 2011

    I would add that thinking out of the box to be another critical skill of an entrepreneur as well courage to take risks in the face of difficulties.

  13. Sep 1 2011

    I think communication is the most valuable skill an entrepreneur can have.,
    Colocation Hosting´s last blog ..Understanding Web Server ColocationMy ComLuv Profile

  14. Oct 20 2011

    the right decision taking ability i think is an important skill to an enterpreneur and also telescopic ability is also playing an important role.
    seo in austin´s last blog ..Case StudyMy ComLuv Profile

  15. Nov 3 2011

    Those are the building blocks to a great entrepreneur! Awesome points.
    Colocation Hosting´s last blog ..Colocation Server Hosting Options and PricingMy ComLuv Profile

  16. Dec 21 2011

    You are correct on this post. I think the most important thing is to have great communication skills, without them how are you going to be able to express your ideas and make them happen.

  17. Dec 22 2011

    Fortunately over time I’ve slowly developed each of these skills.

  18. Jan 5 2012

    Having great listening and management skills I think are key, you can not get big all on your own, most of the time you need help.

  19. Feb 1 2012

    Thanks for sharing important information.

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Being Organized As An Entrepreneur | Bluetooth Heros

Leave a comment

required
required

Note: HTML is allowed. Your email address will never be published.

Subscribe to comments

CommentLuv Enabled