Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO

“How do you thrive in an ever-changing career landscape? By thinking like an entrepreneur and acting like a CEO.”

1. Plan Your Success from Day One

Starting a new job is exciting, but successful beginnings demand preparation and foresight. Relying on others to guide you can leave you stagnant, as Beverly Jones learned during her daunting first day at a Washington law firm.

Strategizing your approach helps break the ice of uncertainty. Begin by understanding your boss’s priorities—observe their workflow, preferred communication style, and pressure points. This provides insight into how you can align and support them without waiting to be told.

Short-term planning is equally essential. Set achievable objectives for your first month, such as introducing yourself to colleagues or learning new platforms. This creates a clear path and keeps you motivated to meet expectations.

Examples

• Learn your manager’s biggest goals by observing their calendar and tasks.
• Schedule coffee chats with new colleagues to build rapport and understand team dynamics.
• Devote your initial weeks to focus intensively on learning, then ease into a balanced work-life schedule.

2. Foster an Intrapreneurial Spirit

Entrepreneurial thinking thrives even inside large organizations, a skill Jones refers to as intrapreneurship. These individuals proactively contribute by spotting issues and crafting solutions, even before being asked.

Understanding your company’s objectives and day-to-day operations equips you to act decisively. Learn how departments like HR, marketing, or finance interconnect to steer your ideas toward broader goals. This increases your contributions' relevance and impact.

Failure often accompanies innovation. Combat fear of failure by embracing challenging, new experiences. Whether it’s pitching an unconventional project or trying a hobby where success isn’t guaranteed, train yourself to take risks and learn from setbacks.

Examples

• A lawyer at Jones’s firm cultivated his clients by aligning their needs with the firm’s mission.
• Analyze how client-facing departments collaborate to optimize your ideas.
• Sign up for a dance class or similar activity to practice fearlessly diving into uncertainty.

3. Address Rejection with Grace

Rejections sting, but they also shape resilience. Like Paul, an exemplary professional from Jones’s anecdotes, anyone can rebound by processing their frustrations constructively and maintaining connections.

Use writing to articulate your rejection experiences. Describe your emotions precisely to distance yourself from the upset. This exercise turns emotional turmoil into an analytical exercise, which fosters growth and understanding.

Always accept disappointment gracefully—public composure leaves lasting impressions. Paul’s professional thank-yous to decision-makers earned him future opportunities, proving that rejection can open doors if handled wisely.

Examples

• Keep a gratitude journal to reframe even difficult moments.
• Share your feelings privately with trusted friends, acknowledging but not dwelling on them.
• Send handwritten thank-you notes to those who participated in processes where you weren’t selected.

4. Adapt Strongly to Constant Change

Workplace volatility—mergers, layoffs, restructuring—requires preparation rather than panic. Andrea, a resilient mentee of the author, models readiness for the unexpected by staying informed and financially secure.

Track the external forces shaping your industry to predict upcoming changes. Staying informed about market shifts or emerging technologies aids proactive decision-making in turbulent times.

Financial safeguarding also minimizes stress. Save for emergencies and limit extravagant expenses, creating a buffer for yourself. Diversifying income through side hustles or consulting can also bring unexpected relief.

Examples

• Keep up to date with industry trends via relevant journals or webinars.
• Build an emergency fund equating to six months of living expenses.
• Pursue freelance projects after-hours to strengthen financial stability and creativity.

5. Accept Compliments Gracefully

Responding poorly to compliments doesn’t just minimize your achievements—it denies the other person the satisfaction of their gesture. A gracious response honors the moment and enhances relationships.

Start by simply saying “thank you.” Acknowledge the compliment without brushing it off or redirecting credit unnecessarily. If others contributed, share recognition tactfully, ensuring no one feels overlooked.

Reciprocity is powerful. If appropriate, offer back genuine appreciation for the compliment-giver’s help or similar qualities, showing that you value the exchange.

Examples

• Avoid responding to “great work” by saying, “It was no big deal.”
• Share team accomplishments: “It wouldn’t have been possible without our great crew.”
• Thank your complimenter for their role: “Your feedback really pushes me to do my best.”

6. Embrace Incremental Change with the Sugar Grain Principle

Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Jones began her sugarless tea journey by removing one grain at a time, a small but deliberate approach that equally applies to career reinventions.

First, picture your ultimate goal. Then, identify three simple steps to begin closing the distance between your present situation and that vision. These small actions will snowball over time, driving you toward transformation.

Tracking progress supports regular effort. By logging your steps, you’ll not only measure success but also adapt your methods and reignite motivation when needed.

Examples

• If increasing professional skills is your goal, begin by watching five-minute tutorials online.
• Want to enhance networking? Introduce yourself to one new industry contact each week.
• Log your progress weekly to spot patterns and opportunities for refinement.

7. Exit Jobs with Integrity

Leaving a role sets the tone for future relationships. Even in cases of unexpected dismissals, grace and professionalism reinforce your reputation, as seen in the author’s story about her client Bill.

Notify leadership personally instead of waiting for news to spread. Offer gratitude to supervisors and peers who influenced your journey, showcasing maturity and maintaining good rapport.

Tie up loose ends conscientiously. Organize your projects, prepare transition notes for your successor, and make your contact information readily accessible for future connections.

Examples

• Schedule an in-person meeting to announce your resignation professionally.
• Send handwritten thank-you notes to mentors who shaped your growth.
• Connect on LinkedIn soon after announcing your career move.

8. Balance Work and Personal Anchors

Work may change, but personal anchors stabilize us. Pursue deeper connections with friends, family, and hobbies outside of your job while also managing financial responsibility.

Strengthening non-work relationships builds a support system, easing work-related stress. Whether it’s volunteering or engaging in a sport, these activities provide mental reset opportunities away from your desk.

Avoid financial burdens that pressure work decisions, such as maxing out your budget on a new car. Instead, maintain fiscal discipline to ride out transitions more securely.

Examples

• Stay active socially through regular dinner outings with family or friends.
• Dedicate Sundays to volunteering at your local animal shelter, finding joy beyond office deadlines.
• Budget extra savings for unpredictable career transitions.

9. Use Feedback as Fuel

Feedback isn’t just evaluation—it’s an opportunity for growth and camaraderie. Whether it’s criticism or compliments, receiving feedback effectively is essential for showing an entrepreneurial attitude toward improvement.

Consider feedback thoughtfully rather than defensively. Validate critical pointers with actions for improvement, showing that you value insights about yourself.

Return the favor by encouraging mutual feedback loops. Giving actionable, respectful input to others solidifies trust and helps everyone succeed.

Examples

• If you’re told to refine presentations, ask for tips on style or additional examples to mirror.
• When complimenting a peer, include practical examples of how their actions helped team goals.
• After receiving feedback, follow up later with the giver about your progress—this cultivates mutual improvement.

Takeaways

1. Begin every new challenge with a short-term plan. Focus on creating goals that push you quickly into your new role or endeavor.
2. Treat every rejection as an opportunity to strengthen your resilience and reputation. A professional response can pay off later in surprising ways.
3. Work toward long-term goals incrementally. Don’t overwhelm yourself—take one small actionable step each day to move forward.