The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute in the USA got to the bottom of what makes small-business owners more success-oriented than others. Here, we tick off the inverse: six personality traits to get out of your system if you ever want your small business to leave the ground.
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger never wants to hear input from her peers, employees or partners, and thinks "collaboration" is for losers. She's not the type for post-work cocktails or carpooling, as both require talking to co-workers. An entrepreneur who acts only for and with herself can never be the kind of leader a small business needs to succeed.
One Day at a Time
This attitude may not seem like a bad thing–until you notice this entrepreneur has no big-picture view of the future. Her daily stressors leave her far from focused on growth or new opportunities.
Know-It-All
Most of us have known this type at some time or another–a business owner who refuses advice, doesn't seek input from colleagues or employees and isn't interested in learning more about industry trends and issues. The Know-It-All is even worse when paired with a Lone Ranger–together these personality types can be toxic to a growing small business.
Old School
The "throwback" business owner believes strongly in phones and paper, but cares little for cloud computing and social networking. She can often be overheard making statements about "interweb machines." The Old Schooler is resistant to change, whether from ledgers to Excel or from PCs to Powerbooks. Not taking advantage of the benefits of changing technology will only cost her revenue as competitors move in on and past her business.
Complacent Colleen
There's nothing wrong with appreciating what you've got, but the lazy lady never stops enjoying it, and it often costs her business its momentum. A successful small-business owner never stops reaching for the next sales goal or expansion effort. -forbeswoman.com