"Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare." -Voltaire
Being bold is understanding your values and acting passionately on those values. Being bold means standing up for what you believe in, even though that might not be the popular or easy thing to do. People who are bold don’t wait for opportunities; they create them. This is particularly true of entrepreneurs – being bold must be part of your DNA if you want to be a successful entrepreneur.
"It's only by being bold that you get anywhere." -Richard Branson
Having had the privilege to work with hundreds of entrepreneurs the following are some of the highlights I have observed from those who dare to be bold.
They Take Calculated Risk
Being bold doesn’t mean that you are reckless risk taker. It means that you educate yourself on the business you are in and take calculated risks. Just remember that in business you are always taking risk - when you decide to take on a partner, raise investment, hire new staff, or pivot your business. The key is to understand the risks and gather as much information as possible to make the best, informed decision. Oftentimes entrepreneurs starting out do not put the necessary effort required for proper due diligence, make the wrong decisions and project their disappointment on to the situation or others. Its ok to make mistakes, but recognize where you erred and use that experience to make better decisions in the future.
"Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer." - Niccolo Machiavelli
They Ask for What They Want
Maya Angelou said it best, “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!" The first part requires you to know yourself and know what you actually want. The second part requires you to simply ask for it. If you want advice from a person that you admire and want to have them as a mentor, ask. If you want to start your side hustle and need some seed funding, go to your family and friends and pitch the idea. If they like what you have to say and believe in you, they will help you secure the funding you need. This concept works at every level and the bigger you think the greater the outcomes.
They Say No
Saying ‘No’ is one of the most powerful tools in an entrepreneur’s arsenal. Running a business means that you constantly have to make choices on how you utilize your time. Saying ‘No’ to things that do not create value is not only acceptable, it is necessary. This doesn’t mean that you have to be rude or arrogant, it simply means understanding which activities are most valuable and making the choice to say ‘No’ to things that may seem appealing, but do not move you towards your desired destination. Our first commandment is “Don’t waste time, yours or others” because time is the most valuable resource anyone has available to them.
They Surround Themselves with Bold People
If you want to be bold, connect with people that you admire and display this trait. Success in business is not accidental and as Dan Pena succinctly states, “show me your friends and I will show you your future.” To be bold you have to surround yourself with people that live by the same values and stand up for what they believe in. You have to inspire each other and be bold in your determination to create greater outcomes. As Virgil famously stated over 2000 years ago, "Fortune favors the bold."