Most people like to understand their personality style when they make career choices and entrepreneurs are no exception. One of the most common models used in establishing personality profiles is Myers-Briggs. This model breaks personality types up into four basic axes. They are extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuitiveness, thinking vs. feeling and judgment vs. perceiving.
Theory of ENTPs as the preferred entrepreneurs
It has been claimed that the preferred style for entrepreneurs is the ENTP. However, this model may be flawed. We have found in the ediets industry that entrepreneurs thrive with many personality styles and each one can bring something new to the table. Women tend to be more in touch with their feelings and those of others, so are less likely to fit into the ENTP model. Yet, female entrepreneurs are typically just as successful as their male counterparts.
Both male and female entrepreneurs are focused on action but still prefer to solve problems as rational thinkers. They are innovators who challenge convention and do not confine themselves to the boundaries and bureaucracies that plague most large organizations. They are essentially sociable loners who cannot be confined to the structure of corporate life.
Advantages of other types
It stands to reason that the ENTP profile is most common among entrepreneurs. However, that doesn’t mean that entrepreneurs are limited to those characteristics. Too many people who understand the Myers Briggs model are preoccupied with it and have misconceptions about its effectiveness. It may be better to reflect on the importance of blending elements of contrasting personality styles.
Women tend to be better at adapting to situations because they are naturally better multi-taskers. It stands to reason that they would also also be able to merge different personality styles together to maximize their effectiveness as leaders and entrepreneurs. It is almost as though women have a coupon that often gives them the upper-hand as entrepreneurs.
The importance of extroversion is clearly stated in business. There is a good reason for this, because entrepreneurs have to be outgoing and action-oriented. However, there are situations where introversion may be important to embrace as well. Leading a successful business requires a lot of planning and research, which is something that purely extroverted entrepreneurs would struggle with. When someone discounts the contributions of reflective thinking in entrepreneurship, they are giving the message that rash and impulsive decision making is always preferable.
The thinking style is clearly important, because entrepreneurs have to both highly creative and analytical. Yet, successful leaders also engage and empathize with their followers. Drill sergeants often make terrible leaders. The same goes with solo entrepreneurs who have to spend their time engaging with prospective clients or networking contacts. This is why having a feeling approach is also important for running a business.
This is an advantage that female entrepreneurs often have over their male colleagues. They are traditionally better at relating with others and appealing to their needs. This is one of the most fundamental lessons that entrepreneurs have to embrace in order to succeed. Networking is about giving first and getting something back afterward.
Most people are actually surprised by the last dichotomy and how it relates to entrepreneurs. You would expect businesspeople to be structured and organized. That is because we are typically expected to conform to the structure of the corporate model. Part of being a free spirit is what separates entrepreneurs from most other businesspeople. However, they are still business people. Organization and structure are fundamentally important for entrepreneurs as well, so they need to get in touch with their judging side just as much as their perceiving.
Anyone can succeed as an entrepreneur
There are many different personality types and entrepreneurs come from all of them. You will need a range of personality traits and embrace them like a diet to go to the levels of success that you are destined for in business. Just because more entrepreneurs happen to be ENTPs does not mean that you have to be one to be successful. Whatever personality style you come from, you will be able to use your own gifts and find a way to succeed as an entrepreneur.
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Hi Kalen,
I think entrepreneurs come from all personality types, as you say. I am an ENTP. (Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception). I tend, though, to charge my batteries when I am alone, rather when I am with others, so I am probably close to INTP (Intorversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception).
To develop my diet blog, which offers savings deals for weight loss programs (i.e Diet to Go coupons and eDiets discount, etc), I have worked with many women. I have noticed they are indeed better at adapting to situations because they are naturally better multi-taskers.
Hi Kalen, good thought. I like the last part that goes, “anybody can be a successful entrepreneur.” For one, I’m more of the feeling type. It just irk me that people really think that they can actually “measure” a person. In some personality tests of “what-if” scenario, its just difficult to determine our own reaction. We are all complex (most of the time confused for me) we don’t have one set of personality. Like I can be real introvert with the influential but go really crazy during parties and stuff. I think whats most important as an entrepreneur is the adaptability, not being averse to risk, commitment and believe in our self. Say no to naysayers. Say no to personality test! Ok, maybe its the word test that puts me off. (:
Good article Kalen.
Can’t help wondering what your definition of an entrepreneur is?
Here’s an Ivy League definition from Princeton: “entrepreneurial – willing to take risks in order to make a profit” – do you agree with them?
An entrepreneur is a person of very high aptitude who pioneers change, possessing charachteristics only found in a small fraction of the population – do you agree with that definition?
Or do you subscribe to the currently fashionable interpretation that anyone who wants to work for him/herself, i.e. all business owners, is an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneur is a current buzz word, like leader, expert, innovator. Not sure people who want to be seen as entrepreneurs if they were aware that a main, if not the main, quality of an entrepreneurial mind is the willingness to risk everything you have in order to succeed with something you passionately believe in?
Hi Kalen,
When I took the Myers Briggs back in college, I was an INFP. I took it again last year, and I’m and ENFJ. I think I have a multiple personality disorder, like Tia
I think the Myers Briggs can help you know yourself better, but by no means is any one personality better for starting their own biz than another (my younger self would have said the opposite). Anyway, take what you can from the MBTI and realize that you are always learning and will always have strengths and weaknesses no matter what job you’re in.
Great, thought provoking post.
Thanks!
I’m an ENTP and I would not say I am a typical entrepreneur, so I’m glad you pointed out that too many people take these indicators too seriously in that matter.
We change over the years. In fact, I think being an entrepreneur has made me even more of an ENTP, because earlier in life (in my teenage years) when I first took the test, I was an INTJ. I am still very, very close to the line on both the E/I and the P/J.
Maybe I have multiple personalities!
Very thought provoking post. I do agree with you on the point that these models are overly emphasized. I think ones personal drive, or will power as TJ called it, carries more weight than a personality model any day.
TJ there is absolutely no reason to feel bad about hitting only one (or even none) of the traits listed. I feel that these models are emphasized too much and I am sorry if that point wasn’t emphasized enough. As an ISTJ there are probably plenty of advantages you may have in business. I am sure you know how to plan exceptionally well and have great attention to detail. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of these traits are overly emphasized. Many introverts have much better social skills than many extroverts do, so we need to be careful not to generalize too much.
Myers Briggs and other models are far from perfect and we can’t beat ourselves up or limit our dreams because of them.
Kalen,
No need to apologize. I did catch the part about the perfect entrepreneur type being a flawed concept. I guess the point I was really trying to get across was that through hard work, we can often overcome many of the tendencies that make us less likely to succeed.
Thanks for the encouragement to not be a dream limiter!
My personality is an ISTJ. Not good I guess since I only hit 1 of 4 on the ideal entrepreneur personality type. Honestly though, I think it’s possible for willpower to win out over natural tendencies. For example, my natural inclination is to be introverted, but you wouldn’t ever guess that at any social function. I talk to more people than almost anyone else in the room. Basically, I have trained myself to do what I don’t naturally do in order to get the result that I want. I think to some extent, we all have to train ourselves to do the right thing – natural ability or not. What do you think?
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