6 entrepreneurial skills we can all adopt for career success

By Robert Half 10th January 2018

Not everyone is cut out to run their own start-ups, but there are certain entrepreneurial skills that we should pick up for greater career success.

Some people seem naturally equipped with the charisma and grit it takes to survive in the rat race and come out on top. The truth is, the most successful entrepreneurs possess a certain set of skills allowing them to maneuver through the rocky landscape of the business world, and onto the right career path of success.

While not everyone can or wants to become an entrepreneur, there are certainly some entrepreneurial skills that we can all pick up to achieve success in our workplace.

1. Networking

Having a network of contacts from various industries at your fingertips means you never have to collaborate with someone you don’t know or trust. You have a go-to vendor for every task that requires outsourcing, or someone who can set you up with the advice you need when your work deviates from your area of expertise.

The best, most successful entrepreneurs didn’t necessarily go to the best schools or come from rich families; they simply surrounded themselves with the right people that they know will help them on their way to success.

2. Learning on the go

You don’t need to go to school to learn something new. Too often, people refuse to think beyond the confines of their job scope. Entrepreneurs see opportunities where others see obstacles, and are always observant of the world around them.

They understand that knowledge is power, and are eager to pick up all sorts of entrepreneurial skills, even those which aren’t necessarily relevant to their work. This also means exposing themselves to new experiences, and staying open to lessons beyond the classroom.

If you can do the same, just imagine the amount of value you can add to your work!

3. Presenting and pitching

It’s not easy to convince anyone else that your product or service is the solution to their problems, when you’re stuttering through a presentation or a pitch. Entrepreneurs go the extra mile to pitch their product because if they can’t find investors, their business might fail.

In fact, every entrepreneurial success story is built upon hours and hours of presentation rehearsals.

By learning from the entrepreneurs and selling your ideas or project initiatives with the same amount of dedication and passion, doors will open for you within your organisation.

Related: How to develop effective communication skills

4. Self-reliance and discipline

Entrepreneurs only have themselves to rely on, and that’s why it’s important for anyone who runs his or her own business to be disciplined and independent.

Even if you’re not an entrepreneur, you should be able to work independently and update your supervisors on your progress without needing to be constantly prompted or pushed.

5. Time management

Entrepreneurs seldom procrastinate. They are driven by the need to get things done because every minute wasted is a lost opportunity. At the same time, entrepreneurs are often short of resources and manpower, and are often found trying to juggle the workload of five people.

But with good time management, they are able to get everything done, and more. Time management is the key to staying on top of multiple projects, and delivering them all on time, every time.

6. Adaptability

Sometimes when the going gets tough, all an entrepreneur can do is simply wing it.

Whatever your trade, you’re undoubtedly going to be thrown a few curve balls here and there, and sometimes you just have to come up with solutions on the fly.

What entrepreneurial skills are you going to focus on?

With these entrepreneurial skills at your disposal, it’s not a far cry for you to channel that spirit of entrepreneurship in your regular job, and perhaps even join the ranks of successful entrepreneurs someday.

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