Imagine an entrepreneurial version of you By Rachel Stockey
‘Developing your entrepreneurial mindset will place you at the cutting edge of any field you wish to pursue.’
Everyone can be entrepreneurial At the Entrepreneurship Institute, we believe everyone can develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Entrepreneurs are often described as mythical beings, as if they are born with a special power that makes them stand out from the rest – and the terminology of ‘unicorns’ and ‘centaurs’ that surrounds start-ups reinforces this further. However, we know this isn’t true. When we break down the behaviours, approaches and attitudes of a successful entrepreneur, we unlock a treasure trove of tangible skills which anyone can practise, develop and hone. That is where the Seven Skills of an Entrepreneurial Mindset come in. Breaking it down We have unpicked the mind and journey of an entrepreneur down to its fundamental parts so that we can help the King’s community of staff, students and alumni to learn and apply these skills for themselves. The best part is these skills can be applied to any sector, any career, any future. We are growing a vast community of entrepreneurial thinkers who are more disruptive (in a good way), more resilient and compelling, and more adept at getting the job done. Each one can take their entrepreneurial thinking with them into medical careers, legal professions, or companies helping to solve the world’s biggest challenges to make it a better place. With this human power and potential, we can start to consider some mighty questions, such as: • What might our healthcare system look like if it was made up of more entrepreneurial doctors and nurses?
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Start! Issue six 2020-21
• What might our planet look like if entrepreneurial scientists were tasked with combating global warming? • What might society look like if we could harness the power for good of an entrepreneurial mindset and the potential of technology? We want each member of our community to imagine: what could an entrepreneurial version of you be capable of? Future-proof your skills We need people who think more like entrepreneurs because we are in unprecedented times of change and uncertainty – there are so many big problems crying out to be solved. To meet this challenge, we need individuals who are equipped with the right mindset; one focused on finding innovative solutions, testing and learning, building strong and diverse teams, and compelling others to join their cause – whether that’s in a new company or within existing ones. Entrepreneurial skills open up a world of discovery and opportunity, and enable you to stand out where others simply fit in. Developing your entrepreneurial mindset will place you at the cutting edge of any field you wish to pursue, to be a changemaker and a leader. At the Entrepreneurship Institute, we believe everyone can develop an entrepreneurial mindset – and we’re here to show you how. Start now by trying some of the practical tips on the following pages, and join us at one of our upcoming programmes or events.