How 8 successful business moguls do it and what you can do to model their methods

There is not one entrepreneur, business exec, or innovator who has all of the answers. In fact, even the most successful people often look for answers in TED Talks, books, mentors, or formal education. How can I improve productivity? What’s the right way to build a brand? What role does technology play in my business? How do I reach my goals? You’re not the first entrepreneur to have questions and you won’t be the last. Some of the most powerful resources you have are the people who have already done it. Here’s a brief snapshot of 8 successful business people, a look inside their brains, and how you can learn from their successes.

You’re never done

CEO and co-founder of Canva, Melanie Perkins, says that “in a rapidly growing company, you are never, ever ‘done.’” To stop developing and to stop learning would mean to unplug your company and wait for its final breath. A leader should always continue to learn from others and improve oneself; challenging who you are today to be better tomorrow will also positively impact your company. Melanie is inspired and driven by St. Jerome’s saying, ““Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.” When you’ve mastered a skill set or accomplished a goal, don’t stop there. It’s not the end of your journey, just a rest stop. Just think, what’s next?

Don’t regret it 

Jeff Bezos, CEO and president of Amazon, says that “he wouldn’t regret failure, but he would regret not trying.” Failure is inevitable, especially when you’re in the business of innovation. When you begin to consider failure as simply part of the process, it will become less of an obstacle, and more of a speed bump. Failure is all part of the journey; it’s a common thread that all entrepreneurs share and it is what connects us. The threat of failure should never be a reason to avoid something and when you do fail, pick yourself back up, and keep on moving. You’ll eventually find that you’re stronger than you think. 

Screw it, let’s just do it

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, lives by this 6-word motto. It’s all about taking risks. While Richard probably takes his motto to the extreme with his daredevil activities, he applies that same mindset to his business and believes in risk-taking as a fundamental component to making it big. While it’s not about rappelling down a cliff, it is about trying the unthinkable, taking the road less traveled (shout out to Robert Frost), and doing the impossible. Following the norm and adhering to common thought will not help you arrive at the next big thing, so stay dedicated to thinking outside of the box and channel your inner Branson when you’re approached with a risky decision.  

You need thick skin, but not all the time

When you enter the business world, you become a magnet for dislikes, criticism, and negative feedback. All of a sudden, everyone has something to say and you become the target! According to Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group, “it’s important to be resilient and to stick to your guns, but also to remain open to feedback. It’s a delicate balancing act between holding your ground, and knowing when to listen to your team.” If you’re able to brush off the naysayers and receive constructive criticism with grace, then you might just have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Everyone was once a beginner

Success doesn’t come with the snap of your fingers. If so, everyone would be an entrepreneur. Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, said that “if you look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” The takeaway is that you have to believe that your entrepreneurial journey is worth the time and effort that you put into the long days and even longer nights. Investing into your idea, your brand, and your company is not a waste of energy; in fact, it’s what every beginner must do to get their dream off of the ground. Everyone, yes, even Steve Jobs, was once simply a motivated person with an innovative idea. 

Constantly question yourself

Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla, says that "it's very important to have a feedback loop, where you're constantly thinking about what you've done and how you could be doing it better.” He continues to say that he thinks that it’s “the single best piece of advice: questioning yourself." The practice of questioning how things are is a method that is ingrained in innovation and self-improvement. It is when you let yourself off the hook that you isolate your actions, which leaves no room for improvement. Take time for reflection to ask yourself, “How can I be better?” 

It’s all about authenticity

Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass, stresses the importance of being authentic in your branding. No one likes the feeling of being lied to, manipulated, or tricked. Your company should bathe in transparency and always show your true colors to potential and loyal followers. Consumers will not only connect with your brand, but they will stick around to see more. Share your story, tell the truth, and let your personality shine. The face of your brand should feel genuine and real. Take an audit of your company- does your brand feel authentic?

Approach a problem as an opportunity

Lisa DeLuca, inventor at IBM, has created 473 patented innovations. While she doesn’t carry the title of CEO or co-founder, she knows a thing or two about creating. “I think I’ve always approached a problem as an opportunity,” says DeLuca. “Instead of complaining, I think, ‘How do I solve this?’” Spoken like a true innovator, right? A switch in mindset from problem-oriented to opportunity-driven can help you take your company to the next level with new products and innovative services. A simple shift in how you think and how you approach an issue can make all of the difference. 

Whether you’re in the early stages of entrepreneurship or a veteran innovator, we all can learn from each other. Maybe the most important thing that we can take away from these 8 business builders and innovative thinkers is that, we all have our own story and we all find our own ways to success. So maybe it’s not about modeling their methods after all; maybe it’s more about finding something that resonates with us and molding it to fit our own story. We’re a product of our experiences, the content that we ingest, and the people surrounding us. It’s up to every entrepreneur to figure out how their journey will be shaped and who will impact its success.

We all bring something different to the table and you never know where you might learn something next.

--

At Artisan Technology Group, we solve complex problems. We’re lifelong learners and we’re always challenging the status quo, taking deliberate and thoughtful risks, and building relationships within and outside of our industry. We believe that the most powerful learning doesn’t have to come from behind a podium. It can happen anywhere. And that’s what makes innovation exciting.