Be Clear Who You Are

Over the last 15+ years, I have had the honor of working with thousands of business owners, corporate leaders and managers. The truly successful ones have one thing in common: They play to their strengths. It’s not about who you aren’t. It’s about who you are. Talking with Robert Kiyosaki the other day, we agreed you can become successful and rich in any of the CASHFLOW® Quadrants if you know the strategies of each and how to win there.

This article may upset some people and I suppose that’s okay. It is not intended to aggravate anyone, but simply to shed light on where you’re at so you can play to your strengths.

While there are some striking similarities amongst those business owners, corporate leaders and managers, there are also some significant differences. For example, there are major differences between entrepreneurs and managers. Not that one is necessarily better than another. Nor does it matter whether you are an employee, self-employed or a business owner. It is purely a frame of mind.

Therefore, the environment that you put yourself in is critical to your success. If you mismatch, there’s a good chance you’ll end up miserable.

I know many people who thrive on great wealth and fulfillment, and many others who struggle and are constantly stressed out. Let me determine the differences based on my observations and you can see where you fit in. The question to ask yourself at the end of this is…are you playing to your strengths?

Harvard Business School defines entrepreneurs as those who seek opportunities without apparent or available resources. That is, striving for an objective regardless of whether there is funding, people, assets, or resources. A manager, on the other hand, is one who executes an objective by allocating available resources. There is a huge difference.

I have found people to be amazingly creative, energetic and productive when they are in an environment where the boundaries are known and where budgets, timelines and resources are apparent. They may not be totally clear…but the environment is established. That is a manager.

However, put some of those same people into an entrepreneurial environment where there are no resources, where the boundaries are very obscure or nonexistent, and they find themselves stressed and confused. Emotion goes up…intelligence goes down…and creativity shuts down. The more randomness and complexity, the more results are diminished.

True entrepreneurs on the other hand, while they may be stressed, get more creative under greater pressure. Some of the most brilliant businesses and strategies are born out of near desperation situations. Some get resourceful while others stress out and get cynical. Some worry about what others are saying while there are others who may care, but not that much. Some use adversity as a springboard for greatness and others use it as a reason to reconsider.

The job of an entrepreneur is to create something that was not there before. To create an artifact, tool, institution, or physical ‘thing’ that empowers others to a higher standard of living, operation or satisfaction.

Be awesome!

Blair