When people hear the word “entrepreneur” they typically think of someone who starts their own business. While this isn’t inherently wrong, there is so much more attached to the word. Rather than the act of simply starting a business, I believe that entrepreneurship is a mindset. It’s individuals who utilize skills and behaviors such as innovation, adaptability, critical thinking and make the most of every opportunity whether it be good or bad.
This entrepreneurial mindset is not something that is only used when a person starts a business. These same skills and behaviors can be used in any job or even in the classroom. Often times individuals who have very this creative and outgoing personalities feel restricted within the structure of an organization. While these individuals typically don’t like being told what to do, there is still room for them to practice an entrepreneurial way of life.
Thinking like an entrepreneur inside of a larger organization requires individuals to be in tune with their passions and desires. It means taking a step outside of the norm of “the way things are done” and looking for new opportunities. If you are in the Public Relations field this might be looking for unique stories that have never been brought to light before. If you are a mechanical engineer this might mean looking for new innovations or opportunities to create something new.
Entrepreneurship requires critical thinking. It requires problem solving. It requires you to use your BRAIN! I have had the privilege of attending Old Dominion University, an institution quickly earning a name for cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship on campus. One class on campus in particular that cultivates this spirit is Entrepreneurship and Public Relations. While our assignments are clearly laid out for us, there are no specific directions on how they are to be accomplished or presented. This method of instruction requires the students to use critical thinking and creativity to come up with the best solution.
Another entrepreneurial element used in this class is problem-solving. During the process of completing various assignments, problems are bound to arise. While the instructors are there to guide us in the general direction, they do not answer specific questions as a way of teaching us to problem solve. In these situations, the students are forced to be creative and find new ways to get the information they are seeking.
Adaptability is key to any successful entrepreneur. You have to be prepared for the unexpected and for everything to change on a whim. Since this class works very closely with the Strategic Communication office on campus, our assignments are also subject to change. Instances such as a hurricane threat to campus change our schedule and list of assignments. In the same way that an entrepreneur has to adapt to new situations, this class is forced to adjust the schedule and order of assignments.
A true entrepreneurial mindset forces an individual to make the most of every situation – whether that be good or bad. It might be a failed business attempt or a deal that fell through, but a successful entrepreneur will lean from that situation and ask questions to provide a better launch pad for the future. What could have been different? What caused the situation to take a turn for the worse? What can be changed for future business ideas? In this class, we experience barriers such as difficult group members, unanswered emails or even unsuccessful methods of communication. Each of those can be learning experiences for future assignments and a launch pad for a more successful practices in our future career.
