Honoring a Man with a Dream
Although they never met in person, Martin Luther King Jr. found great inspiration in Gandhi's teachings of nonviolence. Using this campaign, he was able to push forward the Civil Rights Movement in a mere ten short years. When you compare this accomplishment to other violence-related protests, such as apartheid in South Africa, it is truly a testament to King's drive and desire to fulfill his dream.
In any business, an entrepreneur needs to have that same drive, a passion to succeed under his own initiative. The entrepreneur needs to be able to persevere when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He or she needs to have self-discipline and focus, to let nothing get in the way of his or her success.
But are these traits something a good leader or business owner is born with, or can they be learned? What about you? Do you have that drive? Skills, knowledge and experience can play a large role in success, and should not be overlooked. But there are those certain talents that the successful entrepreneur has that you, too, can work at.
Self-promoter. Like Martin Luther King, successful entrepreneurs have self-confidence. If you own a business, you are automatically the best spokesperson for that business, because you know more about it than anyone else and have the most to lose. For many entrepreneurs, their business will go as far as their confidence takes them.
Creative thinker/visionary. An entrepreneur is someone who has already taken an existing idea or product and has seen a way to make it into something better. Or perhaps they see an opportunity to create a market where none existed before. Either way, like King, they’re charting new ground with every step they take.
Independent. You are willing to go it alone and do what it takes to be successful. As King said, “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Community Involvement. Whether it’s trying to change the perceptions of a nation like King or just sponsoring a local softball team, the best entrepreneurs understand they’re part of a larger community. After all, they live in the community, just like their customers.
As we celebrate the life and work of Dr. King, it’s sometimes easy to forget his incredible drive to accomplish his goals. That same determination is at the root of many successful businesses today. If you’re looking for inspiration as you build your own business, Martin Luther King is a great place to start.