Startup Mindset
What is a startup mindset? Is a startup right for me? Discover your startup mindset using our free startup personality test.
Scientific assessments, with this one based on the Big Five model.
This startup personality test is grounded on scientific tools used for assessing work attitudes and work environment preferences.
Benefits
Gyfted’s free online startup personality quiz provides you with insights into what kind of work environment suits you best and to what degree you possess startup mindset traits, that are conducive to job satisfaction working at startups. You will be able to better understand whether you prefer highly structured or unstructured jobs.
Why is this of value to me?
Working for a startup has its pros and cons and can suit different types of personalities and preferences. This company personality test can give you a signal whether startups could be “your thing” as an ideal place to work and the right one for you to achieve your top performance and stay inspired. Having knowledge and understanding of your startup mindset - as long as you’re not deceiving yourself - can also boost your personal and professional growth. Fee free to share it with friends and colleagues at your startup or corporate and other organizations.
How you can use this test?
Ways you can use your free online startup mindset assessment results:
Get instant feedback on whether a corporate job is right for you based on your answers
Become more aware of whether working at a startup or a big company fits your personality best
Share your startup personality test results with other people and see how you compare
How it works?
1
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Our instructions will guide
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you through the process. It’s
easy - just go with your gut
feeling.
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After completing the test,
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you will receive your
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Share your results with
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What's Inside? Get immediate feedback by measuring these traits in you
Bias to action
a trait that refers to a person's inclination and ability to take action quickly and decisively. Individuals with a bias to action are not afraid to make decisions and are willing to take risks in order to achieve their goals. They have a sense of urgency and are proactive in finding solutions to problems. This trait is important for entrepreneurs as it allows them to seize opportunities and make progress in their business ventures.
Grit
the trait of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges and setbacks. It is the ability to stay focused and committed to long-term goals, even when faced with obstacles or failures. Entrepreneurs often face numerous challenges and setbacks on their journey, and having grit is crucial for them to overcome these difficulties and keep moving forward.
Ownership mindset
the mindset of taking full responsibility and accountability for one's actions and outcomes. It involves having a sense of ownership and pride in one's work and taking initiative to make things happen. Entrepreneurs with an ownership mindset are driven by a strong sense of personal responsibility and are willing to go above and beyond to ensure the success of their business.
Innovativeness
the ability to think creatively and come up with new ideas or solutions. Entrepreneurs need to be innovative in order to differentiate themselves from competitors and find unique solutions to problems. They are constantly seeking new opportunities and are open to trying new approaches or technologies to drive their business forward.
Adaptability
the ability to adjust and respond effectively to changes and uncertainties. Entrepreneurs operate in a dynamic and ever-changing business environment, and being adaptable allows them to navigate through challenges and seize new opportunities. They are open-minded and willing to embrace change, adjusting their strategies and plans as needed.
Curiosity
the trait of having a strong desire to learn and explore new things. Entrepreneurs with curiosity are constantly seeking knowledge and information, and they are willing to ask questions and challenge existing ideas. This trait is important as it allows entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the curve, identify emerging trends, and continuously improve their business.
Risk-taking
the willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of potential rewards. Entrepreneurs inherently face risks in starting and running a business, and being comfortable with taking risks is essential for success. Risk-taking involves weighing the potential benefits against the potential downsides and making informed decisions that have the potential to yield high returns.
Being independent-minded
having the ability to think and act independently, without being overly influenced by others' opinions or societal norms. Entrepreneurs often need to make unconventional decisions and take unconventional paths, and being independent-minded allows them to trust their instincts and make choices that align with their vision and goals.
Getting things done
the trait of being action-oriented and results-driven. Entrepreneurs need to be able to execute their plans and ideas effectively, turning them into tangible outcomes. They have a strong work ethic and are focused on achieving their goals, often going above and beyond to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.
Startup Mindset
The Startup Mindset Test, sometimes known as entrepreneurial mindset test or business mindset assessment, evaluates your mindset towards starting and running a business. It can be an essential tool for anyone considering entrepreneurship.
The Startup Mindset Test draws from personality research into the traits, motivations, and risk tolerance associated with successful entrepreneurship.
Assessment Insights
This Startup Mindset test can facilitate personal growth for aspiring entrepreneurs by helping them understand and develop the mindset necessary for startup success. In interpersonal settings, it can foster understanding and effective collaboration among startup teams.
The test can also be used by employers to identify individuals with the right mindset for startup success, and to tailor training and development programs to help employees develop the necessary skills and attitudes. For example, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that entrepreneurs who scored high on the "growth mindset" scale were more likely to succeed than those with a fixed mindset. Additionally, the test can help teams identify areas where they may be lacking in certain skills or attitudes, and work together to improve in those areas. For instance, if a team scores low on the "risk-taking" scale, they may need to work on developing a more adventurous approach to problem-solving. Overall, the Startup Mindset test can be a valuable tool for individuals and teams looking to achieve success in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of startups.
Scientific and Empirical Foundations
Theories and concepts related to the entrepreneurial mindset:
Krueger, N. F., Jr. (2007). What lies beneath? The experiential essence of entrepreneurial thinking. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(1), 123-138.
Traits and motivations associated with successful entrepreneurship:
McClelland, D. C. (1961). The achieving society. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand.
Growth mindset and entrepreneurial success:
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Random House.
Risk-taking and entrepreneurship:
Stewart, W. H., Jr., & Roth, P. L. (2001). Risk propensity differences between entrepreneurs and managers: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 145-153.
Entrepreneurial mindset training and development:
Gaglio, C. M., & Katz, J. A. (2001). The psychological basis of opportunity identification: Entrepreneurial alertness. Small Business Economics, 16(2), 95-111.
Teamwork and collaboration in startups:
Hmieleski, K. M., & Ensley, M. D. (2007). A contextual examination of new venture performance: Entrepreneur leadership behavior, top management team heterogeneity, and environmental dynamism. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28(7), 865-889.
Startup Mindset
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Frequently asked questions
How to find out whether you should work for startup or a corporation?
There are a couple of different ways of identifying the environment you work best in. The best personality test is based on the Big Five (Ocean) Model for identifying personality traits. This assessment can help you find out what your desired work environment could be, whether you should work for a startup or thrive in corporate hierarchical culture, and help you become more certain about what kind of company you want to work for.
What is the difference between a structured and unstructured work environment
A structured work environment is most common in large organizations that follow a well-established systematic work pattern with specific tasks in a certain order that have to be completed in a fixed time. In structured work environments employees can expect consistent feedback from management and such kinds of environments are generally most common.
An unstructured work environment is common in dynamic organizations and start-ups. Working in such an environment usually involves tasks like delegating and taking ownership, responding flexibly to changing circumstances, handling uncertainty well, working independently, and multi-tasking, which requires a lot more adaptability and decision-making.
What is startup culture?
A startup culture is an unstructured, fluid work environment that most often values creative problem solving, open communication, and a flat hierarchy. Advantages of working at a startup include flexible work hours, steep learning curves and much independence. Early on entrepreneurial attitudes and personalities thrive well at startups. Drawbacks include less stability due to new organizations not always succeeding, longer work hours, and higher stress levels.
What is a corporate job?
A corporate job usually has a structured work environment where the employer is a large enterprise with a multi-level management structure. In a corporate culture, core values are typically informed by the identity of the company, hierarchy and processes, as well as many resources.
What skills are needed to work in a startup?
Skills that startups and large companies look for in employees vary. Skills needed to work in a startup usually include:
- Bias to action which means favoring action over inaction
- Curiosity which implies novelty-seeking and being open to experience and knowledge
- Collaborative mindset, teamwork skills
- Innovativeness which implies coming up with fresh ideas, solutions, and inventions
- Risk-taking means being ready to make decisions while facing uncertainty
- Adaptability means ease while working in a constantly changing environment