If you were asked what educators and entrepreneurs have in common, it might be hard to think of quick answers. Educators are with students in and out of a classroom, while entrepreneurs spend their days running a business (or businesses).
However, the problems and challenges faced in both careers make these two groups more relatable than you think. And this is good, because problems and challenges require require entrepreneurial and innovative thinking to solve. Here are five skills educators and entrepreneurs have in common.
They create their own plans
Despite what many think, educators do not show up for the day with a lesson all planned out for their classrooms. With the help of school requirements and educational programs, educators take time out of their schedules to figure out the most productive and useful activities and lessons for the days and weeks to follow.
This is similar to entrepreneurs, who are often scheduling out their busy weeks ahead to make the most of their time and see the best results. Without their ability to think ahead, many entrepreneurs would fall short and become disorganized quickly.
They think on their feet
Many entrepreneurs and educators know that while they can plan all they want, that does not mean everything is going to go as they predict. Sometimes a lesson in the classroom doesn't prove to be as productive as a teacher thought ahead of time. Sometimes students are not engaged, or there is an emergency. A teacher needs to be able to think on their feet and work around any unexpected dilemmas to be good at their job.
Entrepreneurs are the same way, as they must expect to regularly face different obstacles and put out small fires while growing their business. It is a learning process.
Each day is different
Some of us are accustomed to doing the same thing everyday at work. This is great if you love your job and the routine. However, educators and entrepreneurs should not expect this.
Educators will be teaching new things and putting together different activities everyday. If they focused on the same schedule everyday, students would get bored and have a harder time succeeding in the class. This is why teachers come up with unique lesson plans, and even take time out of the classroom to go on field trips and create new experiences.
Needless to say, entrepreneurs also rarely have two days that are similar, especially in the early stages of growing their business. One day they may be meeting with clients, the next day they may be calculating finances. This is an important part of entrepreneurship to embrace.
They know communication is key
Educators and entrepreneurs must both utilize communication to be successful at their jobs. Educators often spend a large part of their days speaking to classrooms, whether they are lecturing, leading group activities, or solving dilemmas. Their communication skills are what help students learn, grow, and work with others.
Entrepreneurs use their communication skills as well, although in different ways. Entrepreneurs must be able to clearly and successfully sell their pitch when speaking to clients or investors. It also takes communication skills to act a leader, if the entrepreneur has hired any employees or contractors. When faced with these tasks, communication can make or break the entrepreneur's success.
Multitasking comes naturally
Finally, both educators and entrepreneurs know the importance of multitasking when it comes to their daily jobs. For example, some educators must be able to keep an eye on the classroom while also grading homework or planning ahead. Combining teaching with management skills does not come naturally to everyone.
For entrepreneurs, the importance of items on their to-do list may change at the drop of a hat, forcing them to quickly move from task to task. They may have to keep an eye on one part of the business while hopping on a call to discuss another part. The change in tasks keep entrepreneurs on their toes, a feeling educators would find relatable.