From corporations to start-ups, we’re in the age of entrepreneurship. But it turns out, there are different types of entrepreneurs — and they’re not all equal.
Linda Rottenberg is the Chief Executive of Endeavor and author of Crazy is a Compliment: The Power of Zigging When Everyone Else Zags. Rottenberg wrote in the Wall Street Journal: “…the big problem isn’t managing to launch something new—it’s getting bogged down once you do. You seed a new initiative at your company but can’t spread it companywide. You get a product off the kitchen table but struggle to find new customers. You launch a social enterprise but don’t know how to sustain it. As soon as you leave the garage, you run smack into oncoming traffic.”
“What’s the best way to get unstuck? Look in the mirror and evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses. I’ve worked with many entrepreneurs over the years and have found that they often fall into one of four categories. The key is to know yourself.”
The four types Rottenberg lists:
- Diamonds: “Charismatic evangelists who aim to revolutionize people’s lives. When they succeed, they’re game-changers. But when they fail, it can be messy and dramatic.”
- Stars: “Dynamic trendsetters with big personalities, stars instinctively know what’s coming next. When stars go big, they can go global. But they’re often mercurial, one-person shows.”
- Transformers: “Catalysts for social and cultural change.”
- Rocket Ships: “Brilliant tinkerers who aspire to make their endeavors cheaper, faster and more efficient, rocket ships succeed using analytics but often stumble by failing to get creative.”
The key to succeeding: “Figure out your own tendencies, play up your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses. The first step to going big is to know yourself.”
For more on the topic, Rottenberg was interviewed on HBR IdeaCast.