Are you driven, visionary, passionate, problem solver, responsible and risk taker? You are very likely to have entrepreneurial features you can develop and thrive. What if you miss any of the traits? Very likely it can be similar to a situation of a car driving without one component. Interesting and engaging book that has a story behind and a story to tell. Plenty of things to learn if you want to be an entrepreneur and some inspiration for this who tried or is an entrepreneur. You will enjoy the stories, reflect on how you do and get inspired for future moves.

Overall - I always go into reading books like these with a heavy amount of skepticism and readying myself for what this person probably going to try to sell me. Overall, I enjoyed how this book made me think a little deeper about myself and what exactly I want based on my strengths. It’s easy to read and has clear action items if you’re struggling with where to get started but on the flip side, there are also a handful of red flags that put me off.

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First, let’s chat briefly about a personal appreciation for a comment that was made by the author; He mentioned briefly that ADHD is a gift and entrepreneurship is something to consider if you have it. If you have any sense of what it’s like to live with ADHD, you spend your life trying to fix yourself to fit into a 9-5 sedentary life when really your boredom comes from having a lot of ideas and energy and you just need help focusing it. However, that is about it… it doesn’t go into much more detail than that about ADHD + Entrepreneurship. But it’s nice to hear sometimes that you’re not a total failure because of your chaotic brain.

Second, the book is formatted nicely and it’s an easy, quick read. If you’re an impatient person wanting to start your business ASAP, that is probably a solid benefit. The questions or “worksheets” at the end of each chapter seem helpful to get the ball rolling (which is really important). They don’t seem groundbreaking in any way but for $13 (Kindle version) it seems like a great place to start. The red flag here is that the book does point to the author’s website A LOT which is covered in promotions selling a 9-month “academy”.

One area that resonated with me but simultaneously put me off was the topic of Wickman’s 6 essential traits you MUST have to be a successful entrepreneur. The six traits made sense to me and seem like traits you should have not only to run a successful business but also to maintain a “happy” lifestyle while doing it. What didn’t make sense was repeatedly stating (I’m paraphrasing here) “If you don’t possess the fundamental traits required, you’re SOL and you’ll never be a successful business owner. Best wishes making $25/hr working for someone who does have these traits.” It fails to mention (or maybe realize) these essential traits can be taught if you “lack” them or strengthened if they’re maybe not as strong as they should be before you start your business. An overly simple example is, when I was 15, I blamed my parents for everything, nothing was ever my fault but as a 30-year-old, I think a little differently now. (Now I blame the government! Just kidding. But you see my point?)

My final note is regarding advice Wickman asked a fellow entrepreneur to give to an entrepreneur-in-the-making:

“Just do it! Being a crappy entrepreneur is better than having a real job! And don’t think that your first business is always going to be your last business.”

Does this feel like this might be someone who is successful but might not possess those 6 traits? We may never know. Personally, this is fine advice but it’s pretty rich coming at the end of this book. And If I'm being honest, I might be more interested in reading their book.

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Entrepreneurial Leap is a three-part book outlining the six essential traits the author, Gino Wickman, believes you should have to succeed. Wickman outlines the traits, gives you a glimpse of the entrepreneurial life, and sets you on a path to getting started.