When an entrepreneur decides to enter the workforce, they need to ask themselves many questions in order to determine if they are going to be a solid fit in joining a company. Here are some questions all entrepreneurs need to ask themselves. If they answer yes to over 50% of the questions, they could be ready to start working for someone else.
All entrepreneurs
Can you work for a manager?
In other words, are you ready to be managed? Are you ready for someone else to give you work instructions and for you to follow them? Previously as an entrepreneur, you were the one that had people waiting for your instructions – now it’s the other way around.
Are you ready to have less creative freedom?
While at your new job, your role/vision will be important and you will be involved in the creative process – but you will lose the ability to “veto” other creative decisions and realize that the final word belongs to someone else.
Are you ready to be involved in one specific area of business?
As an entrepreneur, you dabbled in all roles – you may have helped with 401k administration, you may have helped hire an accountant – all while also focusing your time on delivering strategy and helping the business succeed. As an employee, you’ll be focused on what you were hired to do – if you are running marketing, the company won’t be needing your advice on who the next accountant will be.
How do you feel not wearing multiple hats?
Similar to the above item, are you ready to be responsible for one or two focused roles, instead of wearing multiple hats and handling 10-15 items?
How do you feel not being involved in all strategic decisions?
This is more of an ego blow than anything else – are you prepared for crucial strategic decisions to be made at your company without your opinion – or even further, are you prepared to not even be aware of many of these decisions? When you were an entrepreneur, you were involved in every decision – no matter how big or small.
How do you feel having others being involved in more higher level parts of the business?
Similar to the above item – how do you feel that others are being involved in these decisions? Normally, you would have hired these people to be involved in these decisions – so you are familiar with their track record and philosophy. How do you feel that people you didn’t bring on are being involved in decisions you might have little or no say in? You need to be prepared for this to happen on a regular basis.
