Entrepreneur or Serial Killer? Getting to know yourself.

There are many different types of entrepreneurs in this world. Although many entrepreneurs have similar characteristics, the book  'Entrepreneur DNA: The Breakthrough Discovery that Aligns Your Business to your Unique Strengths'

by Joe Abraham confirmed that not all entrepreneurs are wired the same way. The book 'Entrepreneur DNA:   states that  are four distinct types of entrepreneurial DNA that leverage unique strengths, weaknesses and tendencies typical in each specific type of entrepreneur:

The Builder, The Opportunist, The Specialist, The Innovator. 

Although I agree with these titles and the theories behind them, I do feel however, it may be possible that one category has been left out. PSYCHOPATHS. 

'The Wisdom of Psychopaths' by Kevin Dutton brings about some interesting points surrounding entrepreneurs and serial killers; Psychopaths are not only the cliche violent

serial killers, but are actually fantastic business people and not always violent. They possess many of the qualities to succeed in a twenty first century society and that we could adopt some of these qualities to bring us success. The book speaks of  'Incorporating the latest advances in brain scanning and neuroscience, Dutton demonstrates that the brilliant neurosurgeon who lacks empathy has more in common with a Ted Bundy who kills for pleasure than we may wish to admit'. 

Take a look at the categories below and see which one sounds most like you:

1. The Builder: Builders have a drive to build business fast. Builders will often bound through business, and can make $5 million in revenue within the first few years of opening a new business. 

2. The Opportunist: Highly motivated and driven. They see an opportunity and jump at it, they are drawn to, and seek out money making opportunities. Opportunists are, as it seems, often in the right place, at the right time. Opportunists will ride a business while its profits are high and then, more often than not get out of business, just as that particular market is about to fall. 

3.The Specialists: Typically spend years in higher education gaining degrees, masters, Phds, internships and apprentice positions. Specialists are masters at networking and a lot of the time gain clients and contracts through referrals. They measure their success, not necessarily by monetary value, but instead by the value they have given back to civilisation and the effect their product or service has had on society.

4. The Innovator: Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs make prime examples for this type of entrepreneur. The Innovators work specifically on projects that they love and more often than not, business opportunities arise without them having to search. This type of entrepreneur, works on what they are passionate about, quite often they can be quoted as saying that they' love what they do', that the money is neither here nor there and that they would be doing the same thing whether it made them millions or not.

5. The Psychopath: Fearless, confident, charismatic, ruthless and focused- qualities tailor  made in a twenty first century society. 'Functional Psychopath'. 

As you see there are a few different types of Entrepreneurs. Remember that, you can also be a mixture; Builder-Opportunist and Specialist-Innovator or perhaps you relate more to Psychopath-Opportunist! If you are not quite sure whether you are a psychopath or not, then you can take this quick questionnaire: http://kevindutton.co.uk/

By Amber Williams

www.bearlainternationalstudies.com