October is the month of the Entrepreneur, and more than an opportunity to celebrate the date, it is a reminder that entrepreneurs must always stay connected with their businesses and what is happening in the market. Topics such as the development of AI, the remnants of the pandemic, and the disruption of supply chains are impacting the business world and need to be fully understood by company leadership.
As a fintech founder and basketball player, Rodrigo Tognini, CEO ofSimple AccountBrazilian expense management and corporate credit card platform, points out that sports have helped him reinvent himself multiple times as a leader. "Whether on the court or in the executive chair, the skills needed to win involve a lot of training and sweat, failure and overcoming. A captain, regardless of the team, must constantly strive to lead the team forward, understanding 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 View
In an increasingly technological and data-rich reality, business operations require an integrated and comprehensive perspective that enables informed decision-making. Tognini compares this 360º view to that of the basketball team captain, who is an athlete that needs to know exactly what is happening in the game, anticipate movements, and execute winning plays.
"In a match or in the volatile world of business, having accurate information and the right statistics is no longer an option, but an unavoidable necessity," he emphasizes. "It's simply what determines whether your team will move on to the next phase or drop out of the competition, whether your startup will survive the 'Valley of Death' or become a unicorn," he adds.
- Innovation and creativity
As the market becomes increasingly competitive, entrepreneurs are required to break away from standards and create unique and personalized products and services that truly address a market 'pain'. In this sense, the CEO equates the role of these professionals to that of the point guard, citing great names from both worlds:
“Just like this player, entrepreneurs need to think differently if they want to create new plays. It’s always like that with those who make history: we’re talking about Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos,” he says.
- Adaptation power
Adjusting strategies is another fundamental characteristic for those who wish to undertake, as technological advances continue to change consumption habits worldwide. As Tognini emphasizes, "the degree of adaptability in entrepreneurship determines how capable a person is of seeking new opportunities."
He completes: "In a game, the power forward is the one who will try to create gaps where none seem to exist. He shows how important it is to be decisive and to take advantage of what each context can offer, a reference that works both for the regulation time of a game and in a startup."
- Reference point
Factors such as empathy and listening skills are being more valued by teams in their leadership. The new generations of professionals have been adopting this management style simply because they see a good example to follow, reproducing their attitudes in daily life.
"No one is born a leader, but rather becomes one," emphasizes the executive of 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 close collaboration and communication with their team members create an unparalleled network of trust and efficiency," he concludes.
- Resilience
Finally, the way leadership overcomes the imminent adversities of a business is also a decisive aspect. The ability to keep going even in the face of difficulties is what ensures the company reaches unprecedented levels of success.
"When the final whistle blows, few are left standing," reflects Tognini. "In basketball, giants like LeBron James often advance through strength, even with tough blocks. This is a daily exercise for entrepreneurs: whenever you fall, get up," he concludes.
