October is the Entrepreneur Month, and more than an opportunity to celebrate the date, it is a reminder that entrepreneurs always need to be connected to their businesses and what is happening in the market. Themes such as AI development, the remnants of the pandemic, and the disruption of productive chains are impacting the business world and need to be fully understood by company leadership.
As the founder of a fintech and a basketball player, Rodrigo Tognini, CEO of Conta Simples, a Brazilian platform for expense management and corporate credit card, points out that sports have helped him reinvent himself several times as a leader. “Whether on the court or in the executive chair, the skills needed to succeed involve a lot of training and sweat, failure and overcoming. A captain, whether of any team, must constantly strive to lead the team forward, knowing its composition and needs,” he says.
To inspire other entrepreneurs, the executive listed five essential tips for those who want to start a business. Check it out:
- 360º Vision
In an increasingly technological reality full of data, companies’ operations require an integrated and comprehensive view that provides an informed decision-making. Tognini compares this 360º vision to that of a point guard in basketball, who is an athlete who needs to know exactly what is happening in the game, predict movements, and execute winning plays.
“In a match or in the volatile world of business, relying on accurate information and the right statistics is no longer an option, but an impossible necessity to dodge,” he emphasizes. “It simply defines whether your team will advance to the next stage or drop out of the championship, whether your startup will survive the ‘Valley of Death’ or become a unicorn,” he adds.
- Innovation and creativity
As the market becomes increasingly competitive, it requires entrepreneurs to break away from the standards and create unique and personalized products and services that truly address a market ‘pain point.’ In this sense, the CEO likens the role of these professionals to that of a shooting guard, mentioning prominent names from both universes:
“Just like this player, the entrepreneur needs to think differently if they want to create new plays. It’s always the case with those who make history: we are talking about Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos,” he states.
- Adaptation power
Adjusting strategies is another fundamental characteristic for those looking to venture into entrepreneurship, as technological advancement continues to change consumer habits worldwide. As Tognini points out, “the level of adaptability in entrepreneurship dictates how ready a person is to pursue new opportunities.”
He adds, “In a game, the power forward is the one who will try to create openings where none seem to exist. He demonstrates how important it is to be decisive and take advantage of what each context can offer, a reference that works both for the regular time of a game and in a startup.”
- Point of reference
Factors such as empathy and listening skills are being more valued by teams in their leadership. The new generations of professionals are agreeing with this management style simply because they see a good example to be followed, reproducing their attitudes in their daily lives.
“Nobody is born a leader, but rather becomes one,” emphasizes the executive from Conta Simples. “Just like a pivot, who is a reference point for the team on the court not only for knowing how to observe but also for knowing how to listen, the manager needs to understand that collaboration and close communication with their subordinates create an unparalleled network of trust and efficiency,” he concludes.
- Resilience
Finally, how a leadership overcomes imminent business adversities is also a decisive aspect. The ability to persevere even in the midst of difficulties is what ensures that the company reaches unprecedented levels of success.
“When the final whistle blows, few remain standing,” reflects Tognini. “In basketball, giants like LeBron James often advance through sheer force, even facing tough blocks. This is a daily exercise for entrepreneurs: whenever you fall, get back up,” he concludes.
