In my work, I have had numerous people approach me about the feasibility of them starting up a business. Many possess the personality and ambition to succeed, but the question becomes, “Do they think like an entrepreneur?”
In considering this question further, it is important to first examine those “thinking types” who, while significant contributors to an organization, may experience difficulty going it alone in a business startup.
Classic Left Brainers (Analysts and Doers)
Analysts are adept at logically assessing options in order to better determine their practicality. To that end, they engage in considerable information gathering. They can readily tell if something does not look right and why. In the extreme, they can “pepper” people with questions, get bogged down in the details and over-study a problem or situation.
Doers, by contrast, are consummate organizers and implementers. They can readily give form to ideas and keep efforts moving steadily along toward completion. Pure doer types can, at times, move too quickly to action without having adequately considered the full range of options. In some instances, they may even “take the wrong hill.”
Classic Right Brainers (Strategists and Empathizers)
Strategists are creative and conceptual. They think in possibilities, trust their instincts, and can readily step in and provide a fresh perspective. Taken too far, these types may push in an untested direction without having fully thought through the feasibility of their strategy. In addition, many may simply be “ideas people” who experience difficulty turning their vision into a reality.
Empathizers are highly people-sensitive, as well as politically astute. They carefully consider feelings and other interpersonal factors when arriving at a resolution. In the extreme, they can be too sensitive and allow emotions to cloud their judgment. They can care too much to the point of losing objectivity.
Dual Brainers (The Prototypical Entrepreneur)
The most successful entrepreneurs tend to be dual-brained; specifically, both strategists and doers. They are very much “ideas to action” type individuals. They see things as they could be and set efforts in motion accordingly.
Their focus is on creating opportunities for themselves and others. They also are good at knowing their limitations and usually surround themselves with people who can fill in the gaps for them knowledge-wise, analytically, etc.
Conclusion
In no way does the above information imply that analysts, doers, strategists and empathizers cannot or should not start a business. What it does suggest is that these individuals need to look at themselves objectively and pair up with those more bent toward entrepreneurial thinking to optimize chances for successes.
Although less common than more traditional personality measures, there are several valid, reliable and cost-effective brain-mapping and problem-solving instruments available that accurately identify thinking preferences. Self-knowledge is often critical to any professional endeavor, entrepreneurial or otherwise.
Kent Noel, Ph.D., is the director of assessment & development for Carr & Associates, an industrial psychology firm in Overland Park. You can be reach him at kent.noel@carrassessment.com
