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Entrepreneurial Leap

Entrepreneurial Leap

Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?
by Gino Wickman 2019 256 pages
3.84
236 ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Entrepreneurship: A Genetic Code, Not a Learnable Skill

"You're either born with them, or you're not."

Innate traits define entrepreneurs. The book challenges the notion that entrepreneurship can be taught, asserting that true entrepreneurs possess a unique set of genetic traits. These traits are not developed but discovered, often manifesting early in life through various entrepreneurial activities.

Entrepreneurial DNA is rare. Only a small percentage of the population possesses all the necessary traits to become successful entrepreneurs. This genetic predisposition explains why some individuals naturally gravitate towards creating businesses and solving problems, while others are better suited for different career paths.

Signs of entrepreneurial DNA:

  • Selling candy or other items as a child
  • Starting small businesses or side hustles
  • Constantly coming up with new ideas or solutions
  • Feeling out of place in traditional educational or work environments

2. The Six Essential Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

"These are essential traits. You have to have them if you're going to become a true entrepreneur!"

Entrepreneurial DNA decoded. The book identifies six critical traits that all successful entrepreneurs possess:

  1. Visionary: Ability to see the big picture and connect dots
  2. Passionate: Deep enthusiasm for their product, service, or mission
  3. Problem solver: Natural inclination to find solutions
  4. Driven: Strong work ethic and sense of urgency
  5. Risk taker: Willingness to take calculated leaps
  6. Responsible: Accountability for outcomes, blaming no one

All or nothing proposition. The author emphasizes that these traits are not a buffet – entrepreneurs must possess all six to succeed. Missing even one trait significantly reduces the chances of building a successful business.

3. Discover Your Passion to Fuel Your Entrepreneurial Journey

"Passion gives you superhuman strength and unlimited energy."

Passion as a driving force. The book emphasizes that building a business around something you're deeply passionate about is crucial for long-term success. This passion provides the necessary fuel to overcome obstacles, persist through challenges, and maintain enthusiasm over time.

Finding your passion. The author provides several strategies for discovering one's entrepreneurial passion:

  • Reflect on childhood interests and activities
  • Identify topics friends frequently seek your advice on
  • Consider hobbies or skills you're most proud of
  • Explore the intersection of your talents and societal needs

Passion categories:

  1. Helping and serving customers/clients
  2. Building an amazing company
  3. Solving problems and innovating
  4. Winning: being the best or biggest in your field

4. Mentorship: The Overlooked Accelerator of Success

"Having a mentor is like having a speed pass."

Mentorship as a shortcut. The book highlights the often-overlooked power of mentorship in accelerating entrepreneurial success. A mentor can provide invaluable insights, help avoid common pitfalls, and significantly shorten the learning curve.

Finding and nurturing mentorship. The author outlines a process for securing a mentor:

  1. Identify potential mentors who have achieved what you aspire to
  2. Reach out and schedule an initial meeting
  3. Share your story and passionately ask for mentorship
  4. Agree on a format for the mentoring relationship
  5. Show application of the mentor's advice and express gratitude consistently

Evolving mentorship needs. As an entrepreneur's business grows, different mentors may be required for various stages of development, from start-up to scaling and beyond.

5. Taking the Leap: Eight Disciplines for Entrepreneurial Success

"You must see your ten-year goal vividly in your mind every night before you go to bed."

Disciplined approach to entrepreneurship. The book outlines eight key disciplines to increase the odds of success when starting a business:

  1. Clarify Your Vision
  2. Decide if You're a "Partner Person"
  3. Solve Big Problems for Greater Success
  4. Get Early and Frequent Customer Feedback
  5. Always Have a Plan B
  6. Work Hard, Really Hard
  7. Take Criticism with a Grain of Salt
  8. Visualize Your Goal Nightly

Vision as a foundation. The author emphasizes the importance of having a clear, written vision that answers key questions about passion, customer needs, pricing, and goals. This vision serves as a roadmap and decision-making tool throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

Adaptability and resilience. The disciplines stress the importance of being open to change, working tirelessly, and maintaining faith in one's vision despite setbacks or criticism.

6. Building Your Business: Nine Crucial Stages of Growth

"You don't have a business without cash flow."

Staged approach to growth. The book outlines nine key stages in building a successful business:

  1. Generating Cash
  2. Hiring an Integrator
  3. Discovering Your Core Values
  4. Holding Yourself Accountable
  5. Communicating Frequently with Employees
  6. Having a Plan B, C, and D
  7. Staying in Your Personal Sweet Spot
  8. Scaling Your Business
  9. Considering an Exit Strategy

Cash as king. The author stresses that generating cash flow should be the primary focus in the early stages of a business. Without paying customers, there is no viable business.

Culture and communication. As the business grows, the importance of establishing a strong culture through core values and maintaining clear communication with employees becomes crucial for sustainable success.

7. Balancing Action with Patience: The 10-Year Thinking Approach

"You can accomplish anything in ten years, but rarely in two."

Long-term perspective. The book advocates for a 10-year thinking approach to entrepreneurship, balancing the need for immediate action with patience for long-term results. This mindset helps manage expectations and reduce frustration.

Action and experimentation. While thinking long-term, entrepreneurs are encouraged to take consistent action, try various approaches, and learn from experiences. This period of experimentation is crucial for discovering one's true passion and business niche.

Reframing success timelines. The author challenges the notion of overnight success, emphasizing that most successful businesses take years to build. This perspective allows entrepreneurs to:

  • Relax and make better decisions
  • Avoid burnout from unrealistic expectations
  • Appreciate the journey and learning process
  • Recognize that current experiences, even if seemingly unrelated, contribute to future success

Last updated:

FAQ

What is "Entrepreneurial Leap" by Gino Wickman about?

  • Purpose of the Book: "Entrepreneurial Leap" is a guide for individuals who suspect they might be entrepreneurs-in-the-making, helping them determine if they have the innate traits required to succeed as true entrepreneurs.
  • Three-Part Structure: The book is divided into three parts: Confirm (assessing if you have what it takes), Glimpse (showing what entrepreneurial life looks like), and Path (laying out the steps to start and build a business).
  • Focus on Self-Discovery: Wickman emphasizes understanding your own genetic entrepreneurial code and provides tools and stories to help readers clarify their entrepreneurial potential.
  • Real-World Advice: The book is based on Wickman’s decades of experience, real-life stories, and practical tools, rather than theory.

Why should I read "Entrepreneurial Leap" by Gino Wickman?

  • Self-Assessment: The book helps you honestly assess whether you are truly cut out for entrepreneurship, potentially saving you years of frustration if you’re not.
  • Clear Roadmap: It provides a clear, actionable path for those who are entrepreneurially wired, from self-discovery to launching and growing a business.
  • Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Wickman shares common mistakes and how to avoid them, increasing your odds of success.
  • Inspiration and Realism: The book balances inspiration with a realistic look at the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, including both dream and nightmare scenarios.

What are the key takeaways from "Entrepreneurial Leap" by Gino Wickman?

  • Six Essential Traits: True entrepreneurs possess six essential, innate traits: visionary, passionate, problem solver, driven, risk taker, and responsible (blame no one).
  • Not Everyone Is an Entrepreneur: Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and lacking even one essential trait means you should consider other career paths.
  • Importance of Passion and Vision: Building a business around your passion and having a clear vision are critical for long-term success and resilience.
  • Mentorship and Learning: Finding mentors, continuous learning, and being part of entrepreneurial communities are vital for growth and overcoming obstacles.

How does Gino Wickman define a "true entrepreneur" in "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Sees and Seizes Opportunity: A true entrepreneur identifies a need or opportunity and takes the risk to start a business to address it, often creating something new or significantly improving an existing product or service.
  • Rapid Growth or Transformation: True entrepreneurs either build companies from scratch and grow them rapidly or take over a business and make significant, transformative changes.
  • Not Just Self-Employed: Wickman distinguishes true entrepreneurs from freelancers, sole proprietors, or those with lifestyle businesses who do not pursue significant growth or innovation.
  • Innate Traits Required: Only those with all six essential, inborn traits qualify as true entrepreneurs by Wickman’s definition.

What are the Six Essential Traits of an Entrepreneur according to "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Visionary: Ability to see the big picture, connect the dots, and envision the future; creative and imaginative.
  • Passionate: Deep belief and enthusiasm for your product, service, or mission; provides energy to overcome setbacks.
  • Problem Solver: Optimistic, innovative, and persistent in finding solutions to obstacles and challenges.
  • Driven: Internally motivated, competitive, and relentless in pursuit of goals; strong work ethic and sense of urgency.
  • Risk Taker: Willing to leap into the unknown, make tough decisions, and accept the possibility of failure.
  • Responsible (Blame No One): Takes full accountability for outcomes, avoids excuses, and owns both successes and failures.

How can I determine if I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, according to "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • 80% Rule for Characteristics: If 80% of the general entrepreneurial characteristics described resonate with you, you may be an entrepreneur-in-the-making.
  • 100% Rule for Essential Traits: You must possess all six essential traits—missing even one means you likely won’t succeed as a true entrepreneur.
  • Self-Assessment Tools: The book provides an Entrepreneur-in-the-Making Assessment and recommends tools like the Kolbe A™ Index and Culture Index to further validate your entrepreneurial DNA.
  • Honest Self-Reflection: Wickman stresses the importance of brutal honesty in self-assessment, as lying to yourself can lead to years of pain and failure.

What is the difference between being self-employed and being a "true entrepreneur" in "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Growth and Innovation: True entrepreneurs focus on rapid growth, innovation, and significant change, while self-employed individuals often maintain a steady, smaller-scale business.
  • Risk and Scale: Entrepreneurs take bigger risks and aim for larger impact, whereas self-employed people may prioritize stability and personal income.
  • Mindset and Ambition: Entrepreneurs are driven by a vision to build something greater than themselves, while self-employed individuals may be content with a lifestyle business.
  • Role in Business: True entrepreneurs often build teams and systems, while self-employed people may do most of the work themselves.

What are the most common mistakes new entrepreneurs make, according to "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Lack of Vision: Not having a clear, shared vision for the company’s direction.
  • Hiring the Wrong People: Failing to hire for core values and keeping underperformers too long.
  • Poor Communication: Not spending enough time with employees or clarifying roles and responsibilities.
  • Ignoring Numbers: Not tracking key financial and operational metrics, leading to poor decision-making.
  • Undercharging and Losing Focus: Not charging enough for products/services and straying from the company’s core focus.

What is the "Path" to entrepreneurial success as outlined in "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Education Decision: Decide whether college is right for you, understanding its pros and cons for entrepreneurs.
  • Discover Your Passion: Identify what you are truly passionate about to build a business that energizes you.
  • Find a Mentor: Seek out experienced advisors to accelerate your learning and avoid common pitfalls.
  • Take Action and Be Patient: Start experimenting, take small steps, and think in ten-year time frames for meaningful progress.
  • Follow the Nine Stages: Progress through stages such as generating cash, hiring an integrator, defining core values, and scaling responsibly.

How does "Entrepreneurial Leap" help readers choose the right business to start?

  • Industry, Type, and Size: The book guides you to consider which industry excites you, whether you prefer products or services, B2B or B2C, high-end or low-cost, and what size business fits your ambitions.
  • Self-Reflection Exercises: Worksheets and tools like MyBiz Match help clarify your preferences and strengths.
  • Real-Life Stories: Examples of entrepreneurs in diverse industries illustrate the wide range of viable business options.
  • Emphasis on Fit: Wickman stresses aligning your business choice with your passions, skills, and desired lifestyle for long-term satisfaction.

What are the eight disciplines for increasing your odds of success when starting a business, according to "Entrepreneurial Leap"?

  • Clarify Your Vision: Write down your vision, goals, and key milestones for the next ten years, three years, one year, and ninety days.
  • Decide on Partnerships: Determine if you are a "partner person" or prefer to go solo, and choose partners carefully.
  • Solve Big Problems: Focus on providing significant value to customers and solving meaningful problems.
  • Get Customer Feedback Early: Test your idea with real customers and be ready to pivot based on their input.
  • Always Have a Plan B: Be prepared to adapt and change your business model as needed.
  • Work Hard: Success requires relentless effort and perseverance.
  • Handle Criticism: Take negative feedback with a grain of salt and stay true to your vision.
  • Visualize Success: Regularly envision your long-term goals to stay motivated and focused.

What are the best quotes from "Entrepreneurial Leap" by Gino Wickman and what do they mean?

  • "Know thyself." – Emphasizes the importance of honest self-awareness in determining your entrepreneurial fit.
  • "Entrepreneurs solve problems for a profit." – Highlights the core function of entrepreneurship: creating value by addressing needs.
  • "If you cannot risk, you cannot grow." (Dr. David Viscott) – Underlines the necessity of risk-taking for personal and business development.
  • "It takes twenty years to become an overnight success." – Reminds readers that meaningful entrepreneurial success is a long-term journey, not a quick win.
  • "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything." (Warren Buffett) – Stresses the importance of focus and discipline in business growth.

Review Summary

3.84 out of 5
Average of 236 ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Entrepreneurial Leap received mixed reviews. Some readers found it insightful and helpful for aspiring entrepreneurs, praising its clear structure and actionable advice. Others criticized the author's narrow definition of entrepreneurship and disagreed with the idea that certain traits are innate rather than developable. The book's focus on self-assessment and understanding one's strengths was appreciated, but some felt it oversimplified the entrepreneurial journey. Overall, readers found value in different aspects of the book, depending on their personal experiences and perspectives.

Your rating:
4.34
35 ratings

About the Author

Gino Wickman is an entrepreneur who started his journey at 21. At 25, he took over his family's struggling business, turned it around, and successfully sold it after seven years. This experience fueled his passion for understanding what makes businesses and entrepreneurs successful. Following the sale, Wickman dedicated himself to helping other entrepreneurs and leaders achieve their business goals. His approach is rooted in practical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners. Wickman's work focuses on providing actionable strategies and insights to help entrepreneurs thrive in their ventures.

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