Think Like an Entrepreneur—Not Just a CEO (Yes, Really)
This might be a controversial opinion, but here it is anyway because I believe it’s super powerful: To be a great leader, you don’t just need to act like a CEO—you need to think like an entrepreneur.
Hear me out…..
There’s a big difference between being a CEO and thinking like an entrepreneur—and if you want to lead at your best, you need both. Yes, the CEO mindset is critical—you need vision, strategy, and the ability to drive a business forward. But if you stop there, you’re missing something huge.
Some of the best leaders, whether they run businesses, lead teams, or sit in boardrooms, don’t just manage—they create, innovate, and get their hands dirty. And that is where the entrepreneurial mindset comes in.
Let’s break it down.
1. Entrepreneurs Know How to Get Their Hands Dirty
A CEO often delegates. An entrepreneur? They’ve been the entire team at some point—marketing, sales, operations, even IT when the website crashes at 2 am. They understand how things actually work at ground level. And that makes them better decision-makers. They don’t just manage people—they know what it takes to get things done.
2. Entrepreneurs Move Fast—Because They Have To
CEOs make strategic, long-term decisions. Entrepreneurs? They pivot faster than you can say “market shift.” They know how to make quick, effective decisions because their survival depends on it. In leadership, this ability to adapt and act fast is a game-changer.
3. Entrepreneurs Are Creative Problem-Solvers
A CEO follows proven business models. An entrepreneur invents new ones. When you think like an entrepreneur, you don’t just optimize what exists—you create, disrupt, and innovate. Great leaders find solutions where others see roadblocks.
4. Entrepreneurs Are Doers, Not Just Drivers
Yes, CEOs steer the ship. But entrepreneurs? They build the ship, row it themselves, and sometimes bail out the water when things go sideways. They lead by example—not just direction. In a leadership role, this means being in it with your team, not just pointing them towards a goal.
5. Entrepreneurs Have Skin in the Game
CEOs often work for shareholders. Entrepreneurs? They are the shareholders. That level of personal investment brings a different kind of leadership—a deeper passion, commitment, and drive to make things work. Imagine bringing that energy into every leadership role.
Why This could be the Missing Piece in Executive & Team Development
Some corporate leadership training might focuses on acting like a CEO—driving strategy, managing people, and making high-level decisions. But here’s the problem: CEOs direct; entrepreneurs create. And in today’s fast-moving, ever-evolving business world, companies don’t just need leaders who manage—they need leaders who innovate, pivot, and problem-solve like entrepreneurs. Thinking like an entrepreneur means being resourceful, taking ownership, making decisions with imperfect information, and actually getting stuck into the work when needed. It fosters proactive problem-solvers, adaptable teams, and leaders who don’t just maintain a business—they drive it forward. When teams are trained to think like entrepreneurs, not just executives, they become more agile, creative, and high-performing—leading to real growth and innovation.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
If you want to be an exceptional leader—whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or driving a company forward—don’t just think like a CEO. Think like an entrepreneur. Move fast, create solutions, get involved, and lead with the same passion and urgency as if it were your business (because in many ways, it is).
This is exactly how I approach leadership coaching, executive coaching, and small business coaching—because leadership isn’t just about managing. It’s about building, innovating, and leading from the front.
👉 Want to lead like an entrepreneur, not just a CEO? Let’s talk.
Book a Leadership Coaching Session and start thinking bigger, faster, and more creatively.
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