Four Essential Skills for Young Entrepreneurs (That Can't Be Learnt In a Classroom)

A while ago, on our Thursday radio program, Dreamcity, our guest(a highly accomplished young CEO) was speaking on her business and entrepreneurship journey. About how she started learning and getting ideas from entrepreneur studies in school, and the ways by which she prepared herself for what she wanted to do. And midway through the interview she mentioned something truly resonant.

According to her, 90 percent of what she had learned about business and entrepreneurship skills proved almost irrelevant in the first six months of her venture. The 'boilerplate' advice given to her about things like “work on your communication skills”, and "develop leadership skills", not to talk of mundane things like time management and networking, resilience and problem solving, were helpful, but were surface level and never really got to the heart of what it means to be an entrepreneur.

After the interview, I walked up to her and asked what skills people going into business ACTUALLY need to learn, and she graciously told me the following:

If you’re serious about thriving in today’s fast-paced business world, you will need to step outside the basics.

1. Curiosity-Driven Networking

Approach networking with genuine curiosity. Instead of asking, “What can this person do for me?” ask, “What can I learn from this person?". People remember those who showed interest in their passions, not just their job titles.

2. Digital Storytelling

Whether you’re building your personal brand, pitching to investors, or explaining a new idea, your storytelling skills are crucial. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about telling stories, it’s about doing it digitally. Can you distill your message into a TikTok-length video or a concise LinkedIn post? If you master the art of acute, compelling digital storytelling, you’re already ahead of the game.

3. Empathetic Listening

That’s right—listening to understand, not just to reply. In business, listening carefully to what’s said (and what’s not) helps you solve problems faster, build better relationships, and spot opportunities for innovation. Whether you’re dealing with a team member or a client, being fully present in conversations pays off in ways you can’t even imagine.

4. Adaptive Decision-Making

\All young professionals today need the ability to adapt on the fly. It’s not enough to stick to rigid strategies; you’ve got to make smart, quick decisions based on the most recent information. This is what she called adaptive decision-making—a combination of flexibility, instinct, and humility. Being able to pivot and admit when something isn’t working is a skill that will keep you relevant no matter what comes your way.

Mastering these skills will set you apart and give you the resilience to handle whatever business throws at you.

In light of that, a conference for young people in business in any given sector is being held very soon, hosted by our partners at Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation :

Are you a changemaker, a nonprofit leader, youth advocate, tech expert, an executive or a development expert?

Do you seek an opportunity to contribute to a dialogue with multi-sectoral leaders across Africa to drive sustainable development on the continent?

?Then register to attend the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation’s 8th Breakfast Dialogue on the 10th of October 2024. The conference is themed: Collaborative Leadership: Bridging Sectors for Sustainable in Africa.

?Get ready to interface with global leaders across the public, private and social sectors as we explore the pivotal role collaborative leadership plays in addressing Africa’s challenges and drive social impact. Register to participate in the 8th Breakfast Dialogue by visiting www.actrustfoundation.org.

?See you on the 10th?of?October!