Core Behaviours of Impactful Entrepreneurs

According to Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff - ‘purpose is an organisation’s aspirational reason for being, beyond profits. It’s why an organisation matters. Companies can serve others and the business of business is improving the state of the world; a purpose-driven company stands for, and takes action on, something bigger than its products and services.’

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Purpose-driven entrepreneurs are about more than just the bottom line, they’re about the triple bottom line: people and planet, alongside profit. Many well-known experts, authors, researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists and innovators have had a positive impact on shaping and co-creating the world. But there are also the every-day people that have found a special niche in what they’ve contributed at the highest level.

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As well as passion and purpose, they often share some habitual ways of behaving and approaching life that set them apart when it comes to making a positive difference.

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1. They Seek Out Fulfilment
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Personal fulfilment comes from ascribing meaning and purpose to what you do in life, and the central focus of this may change from one chapter to the next. Whether it’s business or family, the common thread is often a service to others, and turning your ‘mess into a message’ - taking what you’ve learned from life and using it to help those in similar situations.

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People with a sense of purpose are more driven and committed because they are able to find pleasure in what they do. They also feel more guided, as having a longer-term vision or goal enables them to sort the wheat from the chaff, and be less distracted in life.

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2. They Value Personal Development and Self-Improvement

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People that create a positive impact understand that progress requires correcting mistakes and re-evaluating underlying assumptions and core-beliefs. They understand that their knowledge isn’t complete and strive to become more aware of biases, limitations and prejudices even in their expertise.

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Impactful entrepreneurs have the humility to embrace a beginners mindset - also known as a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, and are open to learning, sharing, and experiencing new ideas and things. They have a liberal and compassionate approach to understanding the world.

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3. They Are Open-minded and Honest

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Impactful entrepreneurs know that no man is an island, and they understand the importance of connection and embracing the world in an open manner. They are not afraid to engage and share in open and honest debate, even when it means entertaining alternative and ‘out there’ ideas. They purposefully seek out mutually-supportive relationships and always aim to achieve a win-win outcome in their interactions. Positive, supportive and authentic relationships are the foundational building blocks to anything and everything they want to achieve.

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4. They Are The Dreamers

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While accepting what is, purpose-driven entrepreneurs are not afraid to visualise and explore what could be. They don’t settle for conformity, and when they see something that disturbs them, they strive to make it better. Purpose-lead entrepreneurs and organisations seek out solutions over problems, and look for ways to benefit the many, not just the few. Every great business, movement and idea started with a dream.

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5. They Embrace Challenge and Critique

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Change requires acceptance of who we are, and impactful entrepreneurs develop the self-esteem and confidence not to take everything too personally. They place growth and service over the need to ‘be right’ all the time, and find that the best way to do this is to directly take on challenge and criticism. They’re not afraid to put their work and ideas out there for others to tear apart, as they have learned to integrate constructive feedback in a way that strengthens their values and ideas.

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6. They Have Learned From Life And Failure

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While institutional or theoretical knowledge has it’s benefits, application in practice is usually a different story, and impactful entrepreneurs have often learned their most valuable lessons through repeated failures. They’re not afraid to share and teach others what they’ve learned, but respect the importance of context, so never impose their views. They live by the universal principles that you get back what you put out, and the more you give, the more you get.

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7. They Work To Lift Others Up

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Positive leaders embrace a collaborative over competitive mindset, and know that this is the only sustainable approach to life and work. Their processes are inspiring and uplifting and they are happy to help and support others, as well as spreading positive energy. They work to enrich the lives of others, and want to see people grow. Making others happy serves to make them happy, and gives them a sense of meaning and fulfilment.

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8. They View The Journey As The Goal

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Purpose-driven entrepreneurs know that the ultimate focus or goal is the process, not the outcome, and that there are no guarantees in life. This helps them to see that the ends does not justify the means, and they avoid short cuts and easy answers. This also helps them to embrace failure more readily than others, while being able to stay flexible and appreciate and be grateful for the moment, over being one-track minded.

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9. They Use Their Gains for Good

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Positive influencers use their strengths well and wisely. Those who impact the world for the better are careful and judicious, as well as patient and compassionate, having made many mistakes themselves. They are driven by all of heart, mind and soul, and don’t take their responsibilities lightly. In summary, some core tenets of their approach are often found to be purpose, process, acceptance and gratitude, which helps them to develop the resilience they need to see things through from start to end.

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