Self-sufficiency (score 53)

While John can at times be independent, he still tends to rely on the opinions of others, which may not be ideal for an entrepreneur. He likes to have some rules, but he may still butt heads with authority figures every now and then. However, he is usually thankful for the guidance and structure they provide. He might be able to find motivation and direction within himself, but he might also appreciate instructions and encouragement from others as well. When the crowd heads one way, he may question whether or not he should follow, but he sometimes tends to just go along with everyone else. Entrepreneurs need to feel comfortable striking out in new directions, and be unconcerned with what everyone else is doing.

Conscientiousness (score 74)

John tries to be a reliable and responsible businessperson. Since he needs to keep track of so much when he is running his own company, being efficient and organized are essential skills. If clients are dealing with someone who is disorganized or shows up late, they likely won’t be clients for long.

Drive Orientation (score 56)

John appears to strike a happy balance between being overly driven and being more laid-back. An entrepreneur must be able to handle a rapidly changing environment, without becoming impatient or harsh with those around them. Entrepreneurs need to work very hard to succeed, and need to be able to tolerate a rapidly changing environment. However, they also need balance in their lives and to be able to relax when they are not at work. John's score indicates that he generally achieves this equilibrium.

Social Skills (score 78)

John's good people skills will be useful in business. Entrepreneurs need to be able to meet and mingle with their potential clients, putting them at ease while networking and making vital business contacts. This is not likely to be a venture where people can be avoided, so it’s good that John usually comfortable interacting with others. He has few problems dealing with people in a cheerful and professional manner.

Optimism (score 28)

John tends to expect the worst from nearly every situation. His generally bleak and pessimistic thinking is probably going to hold him back. Optimism can significantly affect his success as an entrepreneur. He needs to be able to stay upbeat in the face of problems and obstacles. A pessimistic attitude can be self-fulfilling, so it’s best for him to expect that his business will thrive.

Risk-taking (score 28)

John is not a natural risk-taker – he generally prefers to stick to the tried and true, usually choosing the safe option. This is problematic because in order to stand out from the competition and make a name for themselves, entrepreneurs need to try something different. Choosing the safest option will often hold John back in terms of how far he can go in business.

Networking Ability (score 61)

John has acceptable networking skills, but there is definitely room for improvement. In order to be a really good networker, a person must possess good social skills, enjoy interacting with others, and desire to utilize social connections when opportunities present themselves. Some people are uncomfortable networking because they do not possess good social skills, or perhaps because they feel that networkers tend to “use” other people for their own benefit. John needs to keep in mind that good networking does not necessarily mean using other people; rather, it entails finding mutually beneficial scenarios. Working on his skills in this area would increase his potential as an entrepreneur.