How to Recognize an Entrepreneur

If you had to boil the real estate agent position down to one trait that predicts whether a person will be successful, what trait would be at the top of your list? For many of the real estate hiring managers, it’s being entrepreneurial. Podcaster Summer Suleiman recently shared some ideas on how to recognize this trait in the prospects you’re evaluating. Here are some of my notes on the topic: They’re persistent. Launching a business is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires stamina, and while some ideas work, more often they don’t. Look for the pattern of try, fail, and try again. They’re adaptive. Successful entrepreneurs are willing to quickly try a different approach when something isn’t working. They’re confident. Every successful entrepreneur who built a great enterprise started with a crazy idea. This attitude (believing in a possibility) is the foundation for those who are successful. They’re trustworthy. The success of an entrepreneur often hinges on building trust. Those who are investing in a new business bet on individuals who are trustworthy and first-time clients do the same. If a person possesses these traits, it will typically show up in their background and work history. During your interviews, ask open-ended questions designed to uncover what may not be obvious—both to you and the person you’re interviewing.