Great leaders are indispensable for business growth and goal achievement within any organization. The discussion often lies in distinguishing between born and made leaders. While some individuals may possess innate leadership qualities, most successful leaders have honed their skills over time and continue to strive for improvement.
We asked entrepreneurs and business owners whether one can learn to be an entrepreneur and here are their responses.
#1- Made
I believe that entrepreneurs are largely made, not born. While certain innate qualities like resilience, curiosity, and a tendency towards innovation can predispose someone to entrepreneurship, these traits alone are not enough. The journey of an entrepreneur is one of constant learning, adapting, and growing. Entrepreneurs are crafted through their experiences, the challenges they overcome, and their willingness to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the unknown.
Thanks to Rodney Warner, Connective!
#2- Born and made
I believe that entrepreneurs are born, and they are made. Some individuals are naturally inclined towards traits such as risk-taking, creativity, proactiveness, & resilience. Genetic factors might influence all these personality characteristics. But, without external factors, those innate traits can’t really reach their full potential. It’s the ongoing learning, adaptation, exposure to diverse experiences, & experiential growth that allow those traits to blossom into effective entrepreneurial skills. The interplay between inherent traits & external influences is crucial in the development of entrepreneurs
Thanks to Andre Oentoro, Breadnbeyond!
#3- Entrepreneurship can be cultivated
In my perspective, the essence of entrepreneurship can be cultivated, though certain inherent traits might predispose individuals towards entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurship, fundamentally, is about identifying needs, innovating, taking calculated risks, and being resilient in the face of challenges. While some individuals may naturally possess qualities like risk tolerance, creativity, and a proactive mindset, these attributes can also be developed and honed over time through experience, education, and personal development.
Thanks to Valev Laube, The VL Studios!
#4- Entrepreneurs aren't born
Entrepreneurs aren't born for a very simple reason: it takes a lot of sweat and tears, and countless ups and downs for one to be forged. And all this sweat and tears take years to experience. Yes, talent is something you're born with; but we've all witnessed so many brilliantly talented people never taking their place in the world simply because they weren't persistent and strong enough.
Thanks to Silvia Borges, Regional Rural Finance Brokers!
#5- Made
In my opinion, successful entrepreneurs are made, not born, because it is a kind of leadership that comes with education and experience. Education cannot be formal but a skill. The person who has the mindset to learn, do hard and smart work, & the ability to learn from their and others' mistake can be a successful businessman. Mindset can be developed, and skills can be learned. There are lots of people who have started from scratch and figured out how to build a successful business. So entrepreneur is made.
Thanks to Kunal Vaja, Zennaxx Technology!
#6- Entrepreneurs are made
In my early life, I was shy, lacking in confidence, and never considered the idea of running my own business. However, as I started to explore my interests in the creative fields, I came to value ownership and creative control. This desire to retain this control inevitably led to starting a business, on a very small scale. I still hadn't really considered it as a career. However, I came to enjoy the process and developed my confidence & decision-making skills to become the entrepreneur I am today.
Thanks to Ryan Stone, Lambda Films!
#7- It's an idea fusing traits and cultivated skills
Questioning whether entrepreneurs are born with an innate drive or shaped through experiences. Many entrepreneurs argue that a combination of both factors contributes to success. Some believe in an inherent entrepreneurial spirit, an inborn passion for risk-taking and innovation that sets them apart from the start. On the other hand, there's a consensus that environmental factors, such as education, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, play a pivotal role in molding entrepreneurs. Ultimately, it's the fusion of inherent traits and cultivated skills that define a successful entrepreneur.
Thanks to Lucia, Zelesco Consulting!
#8- Made
I firmly believe that entrepreneurs are made, not born. The journey of developing our geothermal drilling technology, XDrill™, has reinforced my conviction that entrepreneurship is a skill honed through experience, perseverance, and continuous learning. While certain innate qualities like curiosity and resilience are beneficial, they are not sufficient on their own. Anyone with a strong vision & willingness to learn can become an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship, in essence, is a craft perfected over time, not a trait you are born with.
Thanks to Andrew Van Noy, DeepPower!
#9- Made by hard work
While many entrepreneurs are born with natural gifts that help them succeed, it also takes hard work. Starting a business usually means acting as a jack of all trades, and inevitably there will be skills that you lack. An entrepreneur must be agile, adaptable, a quick learner, and a hard worker. Those are the kinds of traits that will serve you well as you navigate a shifting business landscape and the hurdles of launching a product or company. Many entrepreneurs may be born with creativity and the desire to innovate, but it is their dedication and choices along the way.
Thanks to Thomas Samuels, Cardinal Expo!
#10- Made
I firmly believe that entrepreneurs are made, not born. The entrepreneurial spirit is something that a person nurtures and develops over time, often driven by a combination of personal experiences, learned skills, and inherent traits. While certain characteristics like resilience, creativity, and a risk-taking mindset might be intrinsic to some degree, the true essence of entrepreneurship – the ability to identify opportunities, innovate, and persist through challenges – is cultivated through experiences.
Thanks to Paul Mario Vratusha, D-Studio Consulting!
#11- Made
I believe entrepreneurs are made, not born. In my journey with ShipSage, I've learned that entrepreneurship is less about innate traits and more about skills and mindset, which can be developed. It's about being open to learning, adaptable to change, and resilient in the face of challenges. These qualities are honed through experiences and a willingness to take risks and learn from failures. My experience has shown that with the right attitude and determination, anyone can cultivate the necessary skills to become a successful entrepreneur.
Thanks to Ben Pu, ShipSage!
#12- It is within us
In my opinion, entrepreneurship is something that's within us. Some people may have an innate entrepreneurial spirit and passion, while others may develop it through experiences and learning. Entrepreneurship requires unique skills and personality traits such as risk-taking, perseverance, creativity, adaptability, and resilience. While some people may have these qualities naturally, others can acquire them through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Thanks to David Zhang, Kate Backdrop!