How Everyone Can Use the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Their Jobs

Michele Markey, CEO of SkillPath

There’s always risk when you own a business, but those risks aren’t unique to being an entrepreneur. Everyone faces change and disruption in their jobs, but many people don’t know how to show their creative side when managing risk, or they don’t have the authority to make significant change.

What you can do is show resilience and resourcefulness — two?crucial elements of the entrepreneurial mindset? — to craft new approaches to problems that your company might be facing.

Focus on the Big Picture

Whether the problem is big or small, it’s important not to become overwhelmed by it. Think of your problem as an opportunity to forge a new direction for your company and customers.

• Solving little problems can resolve big issues.?It’s scary to take risks in business, and taking on a large amount of debt will cause most people to abandon their entrepreneurial endeavors. But playing it 100 percent safe isn’t the answer either. Instead, compartmentalize your approach and focus on solving smaller everyday issues. Eventually, the big problems will become much more manageable.
• Surround yourself with people who share your drive.?No entrepreneur does it alone, so?it’s crucial to find people who are as dedicated as you. Think about how many other people would be willing to invest in your idea. Not everyone on your team should think the same way. In fact, diverse backgrounds and education makes for a higher likelihood of long-term success.?
• Communicate frequently with coworkers and employees.?Don’t force others to guess what you’re thinking. Whether you are adapting to new market trends, or your company is taking a new direction, communication ensures everyone is on the same page. Take time to better understand how to?address change and assess risk .
• Success takes time, but it’s important to have practicality along with creativity. Every risk or idea has its pros and cons, and someone in the room needs to consider the potential drawbacks. Even if there comes a time when you have to say, “This didn’t work,” you will know you didn’t take the risk without considering every angle.
• Resist complacency. Just because something is working well right now doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Explore non-traditional verticals where your business can have an impact. No matter your product or service, you’re always going to have competition. So what makes you different?

I think everyone can use these elements in their careers. We all spend a lot of time at work solving problems, but using creativity and exercising patience can remove some of the risk you may be facing. Focus on building something every day, and eventually that will allow you to really think of the big picture.?

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Isn't Connected to Job Title

When we talk about change and creativity, we’re on the precipice of another major shift with?AI technology . How can you be proactive with market changes? It’s not about predicting the future, it’s about evolving. If you are asking, “Can we be doing something different? What else is out there?”, it shows you have a willingness to learn and grow. Ask questions and seek out different approaches.

If you're a supervisor, manager or executive leading your team through change, you can encourage your employees to have an entrepreneurial mindset. When people have the freedom to voice their ideas and make a case for their ideas and show their resilience and resourcefulness, it is more likely that your business will find long-term success.

Michele Markey is the CEO of?SkillPath . A leader in the learning and development industry since 1989, SkillPath?delivers more than 16,000 training sessions each year and has enriched the professional and personal lives of more than 10 million individuals worldwide.?Connect with Michele Markey on LinkedIn .

Ready to learn more? Check out some of?SkillPath's?live virtual training ?programs,?on-demand ?video training or get it all with our?unlimited eLearning platform .