Entrepreneurial Self Reflective Analysis - Essay Example

Entrepreneurial self-reflective analysis Entrepreneurial self-reflective analysis Regardless of the diverse definitions of success, there are some characteristics that entrepreneurs share in order to become successful businesspersons. The ability to measure individual attributes across the various components provides one with an opportunity to enhance their skills. These characteristics determine how successful the entrepreneur is in formulating ideas and enforcing them towards achieving the set goals and objectives. The degree of difference in the various attributes separates the successful entrepreneurs from their peers. Though most people attribute success to timing and luck, the individual plays a crucial role in achieving the desired outcome. More specifically, it is essential to realize that there never exists a foolproof guide towards entrepreneurial achievements. However, there are certain aspects of any individual that are consistent in most successful entrepreneurial endeavors. The paper will present a self-reflection analysis based on the GET2 test while providing any contradicting or supportive arguments based on previous encounters. GET2 test result review According to the GET2 test, I have an overall score of 63 percent that implies I am likely to have strengths in various enterprising characteristics and could also be enterprising in some contexts. However, the final score also states that I am unlikely to establish an innovative growth-oriented global business. The test score recommends or rather suggests that my success would be highly achieved through engaging in employment as an intrapreneur. The specific scores indicate varied outcomes with my achievement score limiting me to tested and tried enterprising ideas as opposed to engaging in new entrepreneurial ideas. Further, my medium score regarding creative tendency reinforces the achievement score suggesting that I would prefer and would be best suited to the tested and straightforward lifestyle. The two outcomes suggest that I should try and avoid engaging in radical and disruptive innovations. Subsequently, my calculated risk taking score implies that less risky ideas would favor me than engaging in risky enterprises. The score describes me as a low-risk participant not willing to participate in any risky endeavors but rather in those ideas that involve others taking risks preferring to lose some rewards and not undertake any risky actions. The locus of control score also considers my self-confidence as low that requires developing before engaging in any entrepreneurial activities. Some of the articulated issues involve the need to exert greater control over innovative ideas and to improve my project management skills in areas I deem weak. The locus control recommends improving my confidence with the aim of eliminating the reliance on other stakeholders such as clients and partners. The test score also states that I have a high need for autonomy and specifies some areas they deem to be applicable. According to the test, I prefer working alone in situations that would not offer me an opportunity to be the top dog. I also have an extreme urge for doing things my way rather than work on other people’s projects. I am also considered to be highly interested in leadership and being unresponsive to group pressure. I am also presented as an individual with a strong will and opinionated to express my mind. The test results paint a picture of an egoistic person with limited innovative skills. My personality perspective limits my abilities in formulating ideas and also my appetite for risk placing me in a situation that favors engaging in mainstream activities. The test score also means that I would be suited for an employment position or rather engaging in a partnership with limited rewards due to association with minimal risk taking abilities. The test also limits my characteristics as an entrepreneur in various factors. Resnick (2014) states that an entrepreneur has to be resourceful since their will defines the level of success in engaging in risk-taking activities. An individual’s personality is closely linked to their entrepreneurial skills. Assessment of the results A further consideration of my entrepreneurial skills and creativity involved conducting a creativity test using the ‘AULIVE’ creativity test. The overall creativity test score was 43.31. Though the test indicated an almost similar figure and representation with that of the Get2 test, I still believe that the initial analysis misrepresents my personality and tactical abilities. The score abstracts my creativity score in terms of connection, perspective, curiosity, boldness, paradox, complexity, and persistence. Though the two tests seem to present a closely related outcome the central theme being my limited innovative abilities, I firmly believe that they contradict some of the outcomes that I have witnessed. Specifically, their need for autonomy result paints a tainted picture of my abilities. The test claims that I have an intense desire for leadership preferring to work alone in situations where the opportunity is not viable. However, am certain that I have the ability to listen to others and participate in a group activity without the having to push for a leadership position. The representation of a great leadership desire seems to be mistaken with my self-promoter. According to Stephenson (2015), an entrepreneur should strive to be a shameless self-promoter. The test also states that I have a strong desire to express my mind that appears to be true according to my personal assessment. Therefore, I do not shy away from telling people what I believe is right or inappropriate. This quality should not be mistaken for the desire to lead but rather a desire to promote an integrative and participative environment. Any personal or business success eventually arises due to the reception people give any personal abilities (Stephenson 2015). In this light, I believe the test result could be a critique of my desire to challenge those in power. From a personal experience, I have participated in numerous group activities by engaging in teamwork and also in class-group interactions without the excessive desire to be their leader. I believe that a good leader should be ready to listen to the views of others and in that I make it a point to raise a concern I consider necessary. Similarly, I have also been involved in situations where I have had to take orders from other people. According to the test result, I was supposed to feel displeasure and anger or otherwise discontented with taking orders but that was not the case. For example, a previous voluntary activity I engaged in required me to take orders from our supervisors and team leaders. I at no time encountered any problem with anyone or otherwise involve in unruly behavior that would show any signs of not wanting to receive any orders. I also believe that I am constantly engaged in leadership activities due to my persuasive abilities and rather not as a result of my high independence. Further, I have confidence that my persuasive skills form a better attribute that would define my entrepreneurial success. According to Agrawal (2015), successful entrepreneurs should have the capacity to influence the actions of others since it would transform into better selling skills. The overall result also challenges my ability to develop innovative ideas an assumption I consider both wrong and highly prejudiced. Different people have different abilities and ideas. Since we all have a different set of abilities and personal characteristics, I believe the test does not give an excellent analysis regarding my overall creativity (Bowser n.d). The test results also seem to contradict each other seeing that I consider my risks suggesting that I prefer taking calculated moves. An example of a contradictory review is the idea that I prefer giving orders and also being the team leader. The same test results also state that I would be well suited in an intrapreneurship letting someone take charge and engage in risky activities. If the two results are by chance considered to be factual, then I would also have a strong desire to lead any partner, and that would translate to taking a higher risk than them. Subsequently, being a partner or an employee would also mean that I take orders from a particular individual at a given point. The conflict between the results is presented clearly in their recommendation to engage in an employment opportunity or partnership, and yet I always like being in charge. Assuming that I am highly egoistic, my career at any organization would be short lived. According to a personal assessment of the numerous activities I engage in, I believe my careful consideration of risks should not be mistaken but rather should be considered an asset. Seth (2014) states that a good entrepreneur should plan ahead since it gives one an opportunity to maintain a mindset capable of dealing with any possibilities. Antecedent Influences Some of the antecedent influences on my personal traits include my family background, education, society influence, and life experiences. Mainly, my family has significantly affected my characteristics and especially the need to exercise caution. Growing up, I learned that actions attract consequences. In that, any good actions were rewarded while any unwanted behavior attracted a punishment. Due to my family influence I developed traits that include careful consideration of the various outcomes one that can be described as my nature and perception towards risk. According to Hiscox (2013), some of the good characteristics that define an entrepreneur include their ability to thrive on uncertainty and the willingness to take risks. However, my family influence made me wary of this behavior since they emphasized the need to measure options and weight the outcome and only engage in productive behavior. The influence from my academic years taught me how to cooperate with others and participate in activities that develop my great people skills. One trait I achieved from this is excellent communication skills and also a clear understanding of the benefits of effective communication. Education shaped my ability to interact with others while adding to my characteristics as an entrepreneur since I became highly personable and patient in whatever I undertake. Demers (2015) states that achieving greatness in the entrepreneurship environment takes effort and time. He defines a good entrepreneur characteristic as persistent, friendly, and passionate. My path as a successful entrepreneur regarding the mentioned traits was shaped through my academic years and interactions with like-minded individuals. My work experience developed some of my traits I consider as crucial in any business setting. Having served at several job opportunities with different leadership styles, I learned that the success of any organization is determined by the ability in formulating goals and objectives and successfully implementing these goals (Action Coach 6). These teachings influenced my goal-oriented trait and ensuring that I stick to the plan without diverging from the main course. After further consideration, I also determined that my desire to stick to the norm could be one of the factors that influence my need to speak out my mind since whenever I feel people are diverging from the main course. Reflection and Conclusion Though I do not concur with most results provided by the assessment, I also value information and rely on its availability for making changes in my life. The outcome presents a favorable point in life where I have the opportunity to address some of my weaknesses. Since I strive to be a globally recognized entrepreneur following the success of my intended business, I believe I should consider the results more carefully. Since the assessment, I have discovered one important lesson, particularly from the GET2 results. I need to improve my self-confidence and harness my skills and fear and determination to engage in risky activities. I believe an individual can shape their personal traits. Learning a new behavior is a gradual change that takes time. The process to strengthen my features and make them desirable for any entrepreneurial engagement will also teach me some of the fundamental characteristics of an entrepreneur including patient, passionate, and also increased levels of commitment. The overall result might have had me rethink my short-term goals and objectives and also reconsider some of my career aspirations. However, my long-term career aspirations remain unchanged partially due to my focus on goal attainment and particularly because I like engaging in challenging tasks. I believe I can improve on most aspects that lowered my entrepreneurial rating and creativity rating by adopting a rather personalized approach towards my traits. The results have made me reconsider some aspects including taking a job offering with one of the global corporations and learning from the various individuals before engaging in an exclusively entrepreneurial path. One point that I believe warrants my immediate attention includes the results detailing the locus of control. According to the test results and analysis, I trust this would be a significant starting point towards redefining my entrepreneurial characteristics to conform to the recommended traits. Specifically, I need to improve my self-confidence that would also boost my risk appetite. I will also focus on analyzing market gaps with an aim of understanding the market more clearly and formulating informed decisions towards my path in attaining my career aspirations. Reference list Action Coach. (n.d). 12 essential characteristics of an entrepreneur. Available: http://www.actioncoach.com/_downloads/whitepaper-FranchiseRep5.pdf. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Agrawal, R. (2015). Nine Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. Available: http://career-advice.monster.com/career-development/changing-careers/entrepreneur-traits/article.aspx. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Bowser, J. (n.d). 8 traits of successful entrepreneurs--Do you have what it takes? Available: http://www.mbda.gov/blogger/starting-business/8-traits-successful-entrepreneurs-do-you-have-what-it-takes. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Demers, J. (2015). 5 Traits All Great Entrepreneurs Have. Available: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244153. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Get2Test. Available from http://www.Get2Test.net/. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Hiscox (2013). 10 Important Personal Characteristics of Entrepreneurs. Available: http://www.hiscox.com/small-business-insurance/blog/10-important-personal-characteristics-of-entrepreneurs/. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Resnick, N. (2014). 5 Key Characteristics Every Entrepreneur Should Have. Available: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/232991. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Seth, S. (2014). 10 Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. Available: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/101014/10-characteristics-successful-entrepreneurs.asp. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Stephenson, J. (2015). 25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. Available: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/200730. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Test My Creativity. Your Creativity Score. Available: http://www.testmycreativity.com/. Last accessed 9th October 2015. Appendix Read More