Employee vs. Boss: Which Entrepreneur Are You?

Identify Your Style to Master Your Business Strategy and Mindset

Have you ever considered the kind of entrepreneur you are? Or the kind you're evolving into? After years of coaching small business owners and solo entrepreneurs, I've observed that there are essentially two types of entrepreneurs: 'The Employee' and 'The Boss’. Both have their unique traits, strengths, and pitfalls. And believe me, understanding where you fall can be the first step towards building a stronger, more successful business.

The 'Employee' Entrepreneur

This story begins in the corporate world, where you, as an 'Employee' were known for your exceptional productivity and reliability. You were the backbone of every project, the indispensable team member everyone counted on. But you never quite received the sense of appreciation or fulfillment you were looking for. This sparked a desire for change. Bringing up thoughts like “Why am I putting in all this time and effort for someone who doesn’t appreciate me? To help someone else’s business grow? I could be dedicating all my knowledge, experience, and dedication to my own business.” You may even have come to the realization that this is not what you were meant to do, you were meant to do more, to make a greater impact. You started realizing that there could be a world where your hard work would directly benefit you and the ones you impacted with your work. And so, the entrepreneurial journey began.

As a business owner, the 'Employee' persona has its pros and cons. Your hardworking nature is your strength, but your inability to delegate, your struggle to trust others with work, and the habit of overburdening yourself are now your kryptonite. You are surprised to find that your business has consumed your life entirely, you have no time freedom, and you are left on the brink of burnout. You may be struggling with making the tough decisions that come with owning a business and developing long-term business strategies. Instead, you end up working yourself to the bones on everyday tasks and anything that will keep you busy and feel fulfilled. 

Imagine the relief of finally being able to trust a reliable team, delegate tasks effectively, and reclaim your personal time. Embracing delegation not only frees up your schedule but empowers you to focus on strategic growth, giving you a renewed sense of control and fulfillment.

The path to improvement here is embracing the power of delegation. Building a reliable team, trusting them with responsibilities, and making time for self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained business growth and a healthy personal life.

The 'Boss' Entrepreneur

Our 'Boss' was also a commendable employee. As long as you were given freedom and independence to do things your way without managers looking over your shoulders and telling you how to do the work within the need of specific processes and procedures. You had no problem making decisions and had no problems asking for forgiveness rather than permission. The confinements of the corporate structure felt like shackles and you did not have patience for a corporate hierarchy and the red thread that can come with it. You craved the freedom to work your way, on your own time. And so, you stepped into entrepreneurship, seeking the liberty you yearned for.

In your business, you cherish your autonomy, but your aversion to structure and accountability has taken a toll. Deadlines are scarce, tasks are chosen on a whim, and growth seems elusive. Realizing that the lack of structure and plan would hurt a business was a surprise, and it's becoming a hurdle in your entrepreneurial journey.

Picture the empowerment that comes with having a structured plan in place, setting realistic deadlines, and seeing tangible progress toward your goals. Embracing structure doesn’t limit your freedom; it enhances your ability to achieve long-term success and enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.

The solution? Embracing structure isn't a loss of freedom but a path to achieving long-term goals. It's about setting realistic deadlines, prioritizing tasks, and holding yourself accountable while enjoying the journey.

The key to overcoming these challenges lies in self-awareness, strategic planning, and willingness to adapt. Both the 'Employee' and the 'Boss' entrepreneurs have the potential to create successful businesses, provided they are open to learning and growing. What’s important is being aware of which one is your main style so you know the pitfalls to avoid. Take a second to try on the other hat if you see that your business is not quite going where you want it to.  

I have seen clients that I work with go from treating their business like a hobby to running it like a well-oiled machine, delegating work, scheduling regular team meetings, creating standard operating procedures, but at the same time being able to put in place fun initiatives, free up their schedule, and truly make it a business that reflects their values and works for them. Once that change takes place, business growth happens and both time freedom and financial freedom are achieved. 

If you see yourself in either of these stories and are looking for guidance, why not schedule a free 45-minute consultation with me? Together, we can refine your entrepreneurial journey and help you scale your business effectively.