From Expert to Author to Entrepreneur: The Hidden Challenge for Emerging Leaders

Going from an “expert” to an “author” is a big life transition. Then, going from “author” to “entrepreneur” is another big transition. The next transition (not shown in the diagram below) is from “entrepreneur” to “Guru” or “King.” This is not such a big transition; it is more evolutionary. (For our definition of “King,” re-visit our first blog, Kingmaker/.)

The toughest shift of all is from author to entrepreneur. That’s why I not only pulled this one out for special attention, but identified the Three Biggest Challenges for Emerging Authors-Entrepreneurs in a recent post.

The diagram below illustrates these three crucial challenges.

Author to Entrepreneur: The Three Biggest Challenges

• Shifting Engagement Strategy: from “Extreme Introversion” to “Extroversion,”
• Shifting Focus: from “Tight Inward Focus” to “Ever-Expanding Outward” Locus of Attention, and
• Shifting Management Strategy: from “Extreme Simplicity” to “Extreme Complexity.”

Going from Expert to Author to Entrepreneur: The First Major Challenge. Copyright Mourning Dove Press, 2013. Used with permission.

In this post, I’ll discuss just the first of these challenges, because each challenge is worth substantial attention. The more that we know, the more that we can prepare, and the less we’ll be taken unawares. Also, we’ll be more rapidly able to get “on top of” our new game.

The First Major Author-to-Entrepreneur Challenge: Shifting Engagement Strategy from “Extreme Introversion” to “Extroversion”

(Blog post in progress; new material to be posted soon – 5/16/2013)