The Rugby Entrepreneur
I have been watching a lot of the Rugby World Cup this month, and it occurred to me that Entrepreneurs are a lot like rugby players. I know this may sound like a strange comparison, but hear me out, and you will score a try!
A team is made up of 15 players, but each being such different individuals, working towards a common goal of success and achievement. When a player receives the ball, he assesses what is ahead of him, and he makes a decision whether to pass it, kick it, or run with it. Maybe he sees a gap, maybe there is an opportunity to give it a shot and dive into it, maybe he can sidestep his way around, but no matter what, he has the try line in mind, and will do what needs to be done to achieve his goal. Being tackled is a minor hurdle that is quickly learnt from, and overcome. Through the rugby team working as individuals and a team all at the same time, they do finally reach their goal that is, success and achievement of winning the game.
How does this compare to an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurs are like the players on the rugby team. We have a goal that we want to reach, whether that is the success of creating something, personal achievement, monetary reward, or helping to fill a void in the market. We are constantly looking for opportunities, gaps in the markets, and ways to sidestep around the obstacles and hurdles that await us.When we have that motivation, and that spirit, we decide whether to run with it and go full steam ahead or pass it and work with someone else to achieve the goal.
Entrepreneurs are constantly assessing what is up ahead of them, and when we reach an obstacle, it only motivates us more, and provides another challenge for us to overcome. Just like a rugby team, we are all individuals out there, but we do have the ability to work together to enable us all to achieve our goals. As entrepreneurs, we have the ability to asses if what is in hand has the potential to be a joint venture, or alternatively, is something where we possess the skills to see it through to the try line, score that success and achieve our goal!