Who is Who: Entrepreneurs’ Personality Types

Abstract

The article focuses on a new approach to personality typology of people engaged in entrepreneurial activity. The sets of stable character manifestations and peculiar behavioral characteristics, inherent in four types of entrepreneur personality “a creative”, “an entrepreneur”, “a manager” and “an owner” are provided. The author introduces a strong correlation between the ability of entrepreneurs to generate new ideas, create, manage, own and run their business and a particular type of personality manifestation. The author claims all people engaged in economic activities to be entrepreneurs by definition. However, the diversity of entrepreneurial success suggests that this mass is far from homogeneous. Entrepreneurs differ significantly within their environment. The article substantiates the importance of differentiating the entrepreneur’s personality type according to the system proposed by the author, provides a detailed description of four personality types and their fundamental differences. The author emphasizes the existence of a certain set of personality characteristics that ensure the entrepreneurial activity success. The paper reveals a conceptual system of entrepreneurs’ differentiation by predominant personality type and aspects that allow to define it. This article will help “people of business” to self-identify – to determine a leading personality type, which will allow them to consciously manage their professional development. The presented personality typology also provides an opportunity to significantly improve the quality of educational programs for entrepreneurs.