During the crisis,  while economists explained why it had happened and tried to predict when it would end,  talk began of a “crisis of values ,” blamed for the economic recession and countless other calamities. It became popular to talk about how bad “things” were and that it was necessary to return to values ​​to emerge from the crisis stronger.

But  what values ​​are we talking about?

We recently mentioned the  importance of defining a  startup ‘s mission, vision, and values  , and  adhering to them faithfully.  But it’s not just companies that need to remember their values: business owners and professionals in any sector, including entrepreneurs, should too.

What are the most important values ​​for an entrepreneur?  (although many of them could also apply to an employee). This has been discussed in numerous articles,  reports, and studies ,  but the truth is that, in general,  these are universal values:

Honesty

Honesty means being true to yourself, without self-deception.  This is something others will be able to perceive. A professional who is honest with themselves and others will be trustworthy and will thrive much more.

Coherence

Consistency means aligning your thoughts and words with your actions and feelings.  Being consistent means adhering to your company’s values ​​and principles, even in difficult or controversial situations. Consistent people provide reassurance during unstable times because you know where you stand with them.

Patience

It’s a rather hard quality to find.  In the entrepreneurial world, when we put a lot of effort into a project and have to wait for results, it’s difficult to resign ourselves to doing nothing. Even so, it’s necessary to be patient, and not only with the projects themselves, but also with your team, investors…

Commitment

You must be committed to your own project, and that commitment must be evident to others . It’s important that this commitment is especially apparent during difficult times, when the project falters. But at the same time, you must avoid going down with the ship. You have to know when to stop.

Generosity

Selfishness is negative in any area of ​​life , but especially so in entrepreneurship. Be generous, help other projects when asked, and try to share your experience. Not only will you be seen as a valuable person, but you can also lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

Modesty

While it’s important to believe in your project, it’s equally important  to acknowledge your own mistakes and accept criticism . Perfection doesn’t exist, and you can learn a lot from those who know more than you.

Courage

Sometimes  you’ll have to defend your project against all odds , and have the courage to do things that have never been done before, or to take very risky actions. Fortune favors the bold, so go for it!

Responsibility

It’s crucial that you take responsibility for your actions, ideas, and emotions . If you systematically blame the intern when something goes wrong, no one will be able to take you seriously or trust you. Being responsible is tough because it sometimes means accepting failures, but remember that you’ll always find something enriching in every mistake if you embrace it instead of rejecting it.

As you can see,  these are virtues we should all aspire to . And this raises the next question: is it possible  to acquire these values  , or are we born with them? I firmly believe that anyone can improve if they set their mind to it and have the right tools and support. So  I encourage you to examine yourself and work on those values ​​you feel you lack to become the best entrepreneur you can be.

Angel Maria Herrera

Source:  With Your Business