Critical Soft Skills for Entrepreneurs

Critical soft skills entrepreneurs need to be successful:

1. Leadership. Leadership involves motivating others toward success. There's plenty of material on this topic available. Read. Study. Learn.

2. Flexibility/Adaptability. Surprises, unplanned distractions, and unanticipated challenges are inevitable. Entrepreneurs have to adapt and adjust.

3. Creative Problem Solving. See the challenge and solve the problem. Don't be defeated by 'we've never done it that way before' and use obstacles as opportunities to pave a new path.

4. Making Decisions. Assess the information on hand and make the best decision you can. The inability to make a decision will stagnate your growth. Trust your instincts.

5. Etiquette. Learn what is proper and the unwritten rules of culture. Spend some time observing others in business and model expected behavior.

6. Small Talk. Learn how to connect with others through the art of small talk. Ask questions, listen and find points of commonality.

7. Customer Service. The customer isn't always right but they are the key to your business success. Seek opportunities to set yourself apart from your competition by excelling and going above and beyond what is expected.

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP