Born, Not Made: The Entrepreneurial Personality

by James L. Fisher, James V. Koch

Books, magazine articles, and educational programs on entrepreneurship are all based on the idea that anyone can be an entrepreneur―that entrepreneurs are made, not born. Well, maybe not. In a study of 234 CEOs funded by the Kauffman Foundation, James L. Fisher and James V. Koch came up with a surprising Some individuals are simply more naturally fitted to become entrepreneurs than others. They are pre-wired. Because of heredity, some people are much more likely to become successful entrepreneurs or pursue entrepreneurial strategies within a corporate setting profitably. By recognizing that, this book will significantly improve corporate selection processes, strengthen entrepreneurship programs, and boost the confidence of aspiring entrepreneurs through invaluable insights.

Among other things, Fisher and Koch show that true entrepreneurs not only see the world differently―they act differently. Compared with corporate managers, for example, they are more confident, more decisive, more likely to upset the apple cart, and more energetic. They love to compete but are notable for the partnerships they are able to fashion with friend and foe alike. Such conclusions are remarkable. Why? Because they are based on the only empirical comparison study yet conducted on entrepreneurship. The insights are not based on personal opinion or case studies but on valid and reliable personality indicators.

Because the book shows that certain kinds of people will find it much easier to found successful companies than others, it has many practical applications. It will help organizations fit the right people into jobs requiring an entrepreneurial bent. It will challenge corporations to hire entrepreneurial CEOs who will transform businesses rather than maintain the status quo. And it will speak directly to entrepreneurs and those contemplating starting a business, who will learn if they have the right stuff to start and sustain a business. In short, this book provides insights into the entrepreneurial soul that can change the fortunes of individuals and companies for the better.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2008

Reviews

[ukuklele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sementara media pada umumnya menyugesti, mendorong, atau berusaha membuka pikiran orang agar berwirausaha, buku ini --setidaknya dari judulnya--justru tampak mendukung pemikiran kaum pesimis bahwa tidak semua orang bisa melakukannya. Menurut buku ini, orang yang lebih berkemungkinan untuk sukses sebagai wirausahawan adalah mereka yang sudah suka berjualan apa saja sedari kecil.

Penulis bukannya tidak menyadari bahwa tesisnya (entrepreneurship itu bakat lahiriah) dapat menuai kritik. Mereka mengatakan bahwa ada banyak jalan menuju kesuksesan, tidak harus melalui entrepreneurship. Penulis mengibaratkan entrepreneurship dengan permainan basket, di mana pemain berbadan jangkung lebih memiliki keuntungan. Ada suatu omong kosong kata mutiara bahwa sukses itu 99% kerja keras dan 1 % bakat, yang sepertinya sekadar untuk menghibur atau memberi harapan kepada mereka yang merasa tidak punya bakat. Penulis tampak menyiratkan bahwa yang betul itu pertama-tama tentukan dulu bakatmu apa, baru kerja keras. Lebih efisien untuk bekerja keras yang sesuai dengan bakat, ketimbang bekerja keras yang tanpa disertai bakat. Make the most of your genetics/inheritance.

Both genetic evidence and survey data support the notion that a substantial proportion of entrepreneurial behavior is genetically determined. Put simply, much entrepreneurial behavior is inherited. The entrepreneurial personality that drives risk-taking, innovation, and the founding of new firms isn't something one can buy from the shelf at Wal-Mart or Macy's. Nor can the salient features of an entrepreneurial personality easily be taught or learned, whether at Harvard or even from one's parents. (pg. 2)

Selanjutnya di halaman 6 buku ini bilang, "... the evidence is compelling that it is not knowledge of accounting principles per se that produces entrepreneurial success, or for that matter, an understanding of the best way to write a business plan, or to build a Web site. Instead, a collection of entrepreneurial personality traits is the key." Kemudian di halaman 8, "... it is much easier to teach individuals how to read balance sheets , or to manipulate supply and demand curves, than it is to teach them to become someone who relishes risk-taking and new experiences." Maka jargon SMA saya dulu pun menjadi make sense: knowledge is power, but character is more. Tapi, memangnya sekolah betul-betul melaksanakan pendidikan karakter?

Practice may not make perfect, but it often helps overcome some genetic deficiencies (pg. 3)

Penulis pun menyatakan bahwa bukan berarti orang-orang tanpa entrepreneurial personality traits atau latar belakang tertentu tidak mungkin sukses berusaha (halaman 7), karena masih ada faktor-faktor lainnya yang menentukan seperti keberuntungan, skill, dan lain-lain.

Genetic factors do not solely determine entrepreneurial behavior. Entrepreneurial environment can make a difference. .... Nevertheless, ... previous environmental factors are surprisingly less important to entrepreneurship than conventional wisdom suggests. (pg. 157)

Memang buku ini rada outdated dan Amerika-Serikat-sentris, tapi bagi saya pribadi sangat membantu. Bagi pengambil kebijakan atau pihak manajemen dalam suatu perusahaan, buku ini memberikan saran dalam menentukan calon pemimpin selanjutnya. (Good leaders must be entrepreneurial. And entrepreneurs make the best leaders. (pg. 131) If you want to hire a successful CEO, find an appropriately qualified individual who is entrepreneurial by nature. (pg. 132)) Bagi peminat wirausaha, buku ini memerinci karakter-karakter apa saja yang mesti dikembangkan supaya sukses di samping realistis dalam menakar ekspektasi terhadap diri sendiri.

Kalau ternyata kita tidak memiliki entrepreneur personality trait sebagaimana yang dijabarkan dalam buku ini, maka:
1. Cari apa bakat kita sesungguhnya, bisa jadi kesuksesan kita ada di situ;
2. Kalau tetap ingin jadi entrepreneur, bukannya tidak mungkin untuk sukses melainkan ada tantangannya tersendiri (khususnya yang menyangkut kepribadian) dan itu pun macam mendakit bukit sambil lari.