Are you on a mission?

True entrepreneurs want to change the world. That mission keeps them going. It also makes the people around them want to do whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter what. If you can infuse your entrepreneurial spirit into your organization, you'll have a good chance of succeeding in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. If you don't get the mojo going throughout your team, anything else you try to do will probably fall short of expectations.

Forget about command and control

The best-of-the-best lead by example. You can't manage your way to success in a semi-chaotic entrepreneurial environment. In fact, it's nearly impossible to push people to take on the kinds of risks that your business will encounter over the long term. They have to feel like there's a purpose and that they can play a part in creating change. The worst thing you can do is centralize power in the organization and create a hierarchical structure. So ditch the org charts and the control mentality. Empower your people to make decisions and take actions that support the mission.

It's not always about money

Did you ever notice that entrepreneurs rarely talk about money, except when they are in the presence of people who encourage it? It's not that entrepreneurs don't want to be rich. They do, of course. It's that they are preoccupied with their mission. And that's a good thing. The infatuation with a goal is contagious and gets people thinking creatively. The quest for money can motivate people as well, but only in the short term. Moreover, it's difficult for some people to grasp the concept of how money is made in a business. If you want to get your team members pulsating with excitement and tackling the impossible, focus on the mission. Assuming that you treat them fairly, they will follow your lead.

Focus on the big picture

It's easy to forget what really drives your business and to worry too much about fixing daily problems. That's partly because fixing "stuff" is relatively easy. Let's face it, there's something satisfying about whittling away your to-do list. If you aren't careful, however, your company will be ground up in the fix-it mill. Moreover, if you don't make the effort to embed the entrepreneurial spirit in your organization first, any fixes you make will be fleeting. The spirit is the glue that holds the organization together. You can always try to coerce people to change, but leading by example will make your organization stronger and more resilient. Act like the entrepreneur that you know you are, and you'll find others clamoring to join in the fun.