What makes an entrepreneur?

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Many of us harbour entrepreneurial ambitions - spurred on by TV programmes like Dragon's Den and The Apprentice. But would we succeed or fail? Here we consider the qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur. Then, on the next page, you can take a test to see if you cut the mustard.

The Entrepreneurial Attributes: Locus of Control questionnaire below provides you with an opportunity to see where you currently stand (but note that locus of control beliefs are also influenced by context and can vary over time, especially if success breeds success).

The scoring system behind this questionnaire was devised by Colin Gray for his Phd on Enterprise Culture. He retains the copyright.

You currently have Javascript turned off, so we can't calculate your scores. Javascript is available in most modern web browsers, but may need to be turned on. These instructions show you how.If you can't turn Javascript on, make a note of the statements you agree and disagree with, and we'll give you a rough idea of your scores at the end.

To a great extent my life is controlled by accidental happenings.
I feel like what happens in my life is mostly determined by powerful other people.
My own behaviour will determine whether I can start my business.
When I make plans, I am almost certain to make them work.
Often there is no chance of protecting my personal interests from bad luck.
When I get what I want, it's usually because I am lucky.
Even if I were a good leader, I would not be made a leader unless I play up to those in positions of power.
I have often found that what is going to happen will happen.
My life is chiefly controlled by powerful others.
People like myself have little chance of protecting our personal interests when they conflict with those of powerful other people.
It's not always wise for me to plan too far ahead because many things turn out to be a matter of good or bad fortune.
Getting what I want means I have to please people above me.
Whether or not I get to implement my idea depends on whether I am lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
If important people were to decide they didn't like my idea, I won't get it off the ground.
I can pretty much determine what will happen in my life.
I am usually able to protect my personal interests.
How soon I can try my idea depends on other people who have power over me.
When I get what I want, it's usually because I have worked hard for it.
In order to have my plans work, I make sure that they fit in with the desires of people who have power over what goes on.
My life is determined by my own actions.
It is chiefly a matter of fate whether I have a few friends or many friends.

Your scores

Without Javascript, it’s not possible to obtain accurate results. However we can give you a rough idea of your scores.If you agreed with statements 2, 7, 9, 14, 17, 19 then you probably have a high score for external power. If you disagreed with these statements, you probably have a low score.If you agreed with statements 3, 4, 15, 16, you probably have a high score for internal power. If you disagreed with these statements, you probably have a low score.If you agreed with statements 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 21, you probably have a high score for chance. If you disagreed with these statements, you probably have a low score.

Internal power:

External power:

Chance:

A negative score in any of the three categories means that you reject the notion that events are controlled by that category.

The locus of control theory has been found to be useful in analysing the behaviour and beliefs of successful entrepreneurs. If you feel you scored a bit low for your own liking, this is another indication that a team approach may be best.

If you want to boost your feeling of internal locus of control, one suggestion would be to set yourself attainable objectives and push yourself to achieve them. However, it is important to bear in mind that psychological scales and tests of this kind only ever measure tendencies (not absolute and immutable behaviour that holds in all circumstances) and never attain anything like 100 per cent accuracy. And, in any case, personal belief and motivation is only one part of the entrepreneurial equation.

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Content last updated: 24/10/2005