Top 10 most important entrepreneur attributes

Asked by Telfer School of Management’s Catherine Elliott to rank the top 10 most important attributes an entrepreneur should have (and the bottom five) from her lengthy list, here’s what I came up with–

Top 10 (in no particular order)

Driven
Optimistic
Innovative problem-solver
Creative thinker
Seeks to make a contribution
Risk-taker
Delivers
Opportunistic
Flexible
Aims to make a difference

Bottom 5 (in my view and, again, in no particular order)

Well connected (those connections will arise anyway through daily, weekly, yearly continuous applied effort)
Happy (never met a happy entrepreneur–they’re restless all the time)
Thoughtful (most entrepreneurs are impulsive)
Fun (many take life seriously, maybe too seriously)
Organized (entrepreneurs tend to be the stick that stirs a series of hornets’ nests)

Here’s Catherine’s entire list:

1. Assertive
2. Inclusive
3. Driven
4. Energetic
5. Leads by example
6. Happy
7. Hardworking
8. Flawless in execution
9. Optimistic
10. Passionate
11. No nonsense
12. Curiosity
13. Confident
14. Lots of ideas
15. Innovative problem-solver
16. Determined
17. Caring
18. Tenacious
19. Open-minded
20. Clear-sighted
21. Visionary
22. Joyous
23. Develops people
24. Good teacher
25. Dreamer
26. Supportive
27. Facilitator
28. Well connected
29. Enthusiastic
30. Provides honest feedback
31. Recognizes role of others
32. Shares leadership
33. Inspirational
34. Strong communicator
35. Creative thinker
36. Stubborn
37. Persuasive
38. Candid
39. Perseverance
40. Collaborative
41. Empathetic
42. Friendly
43. Independent
44. Adventurous
45. Thoughtful
46. Motivates people to achieve
47. Considerate
48. Smart
49. Tolerant
50. Relationship oriented
51. Seeks to make a contribution
52. Fun
53. Respectful
54. Risk-taker
55. Delivers
56. Experienced
57. Good writer
58. Acts with integrity
59. Knowledgeable
60. Loyal
61. Organized
62. Professional
63. Quiet (low key)
64. Respected
65. Opportunistic
66. Sincere
67. Flexible
68. Aims to make a difference
69. Bold
 70. Able to build a strong team

Here’re Catherine’s credentials:

Catherine Elliott, M.B.A., Ph.D.,
Telfer School of Management
University of Ottawa
55 Laurier East
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5

Prof Bruce

Bruce M Firestone, B Eng (civil), M Eng-Sci, PhD
Real Estate Investment and Business coach
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Ottawa Senators founder
1-613-762-8884
bruce@brucemfirestone.com
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