I’ll begin by quoting some definitions: “Entrepreneurs are innovative individuals aiming at creative destruction, i.e. to eradicate the existing products and services status-quo, so as to create new products and services” Schumpeter, 1934 “An Entrepreneur is someone who searches for change, who responds to it, and who exploits it as an opportunity. Innovation is an entrepreneur specific tool; therefore an effective entrepreneur turns a source into a resource. Peter Drucker, 1964 “Entrepreneurship is the process by which individuals pursue opportunities without regard to the resources they currently control”. Howard Stevenson, 1975 “Undertaking a project is having the determination of being the architect of one’s own future”. Robin S. Sharma “The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari”, 2002 According to my own experience, undertaking a project is a process starting with the decision to build something new, with the imprint of the features and characteristics of the doer. It is like daydreaming! It is a brave action aiming at creation, at giving birth to an idea and share it with others who might further add their contributions; and therefore enhance the original proposal. That’s why in my opinion, undertaking a project is not an isolated action, it is a generous attitude to summon individuals motivated by the original idea that gives rise to the undertaking. Every action related to undertaking, implies a commitment with oneself, with the values and options that define you as a leader of your own life, and there from as a leader of others, a leader of the project-undertaking. Why is it so important to exercise leadership from our own values and beliefs? Because knowing who I am, understanding what I have to offer to others, recognizing what is it that inspires passion in me and therefore being able to give the best of myself, helps creating something convincing, contagious, which transmits strength and the possibility of achievement.
Because, when we face and meet the numerous unexpected and unfavorable situations, it is imperative to be perfectly aware of the why and what of the project. Safety is not external; the basis of the undertaking is its meaning and purpose. And this stems from the values of the leader. For 20 years, I worked in organizational fields of different industries and different roles, from administrative staff to Regional Head for LatAm. In 2003, my cycle as a member of an organization got to an end, but it was only in 2004 when I decided to open a Consultant focused on change processes, based on my training and experience in Human Resources.
After more than 10 years leading this small enterprise, I can positively state that undertaking a project needs a clear and passionate objective, a deep belief on what one offers to the society, an active patience to wait without leaving aside what one has to do, humility to accept our mistakes and learn from them, to stand up and go on. It’s worth remembering that anyone can be an enterprising leader within an organization. From any position, you can take a leading attitude, generating proposals aiming at change and improvements, and actively grabbing reality so as to change it. In order to achieve this objective we need the cooperation of others, we cannot accomplish the impact of the change by ourselves. Some keys: how do I communicate the proposal? How do I make a team? How do I motivate individuals? How do I influence on the high decision making levels? Working from our own values and beliefs, is the only way to go further, even if it takes more time…
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