In an earlier post I mention how two authors in the Stanford review oppose focusing on the person behind the innovation (they instead emphasize the process – the innovation itself). I think they make a very valid point about the importance of the process over individual people; however, I do still think the special qualities of the people we call social entrepreneurs are worth looking at. Because, eventually, if we can begin to recognize those qualities in individuals, or even begin to actively instill and cultivate those characteristics within people, we can greatly increase the number and quality of social innovations. In other words, the actual innovations may be what matter most, but it’s people that are behind the innovations.

First I think it might be beneficial to briefly delineate between social entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs. Below is a super fancy HD graphic (created by me, on Paint) depicting what I think is probably a traditional view of how many people separate social entrepreneurship from entrepreneurship. As you can see, the main difference is in motivation behind the venture.

While it’s true that a large profit is generally not the main focus of social entrepreneurs, it’s also true that social entrepreneurs DO need to make money to continue to run their venture, and efficiently so. Further, there are many entrepreneurs who may not be dubbed social entrepreneurs, but who nonetheless consider much more than pure profit in their bottom line (they may be very conscious of their environmental impact, for instance). The graphic below is another Kate original that improves upon the first.

Although this Venn diagram is hopefully a better illustration of entrepreneurial business motives, I think an even more accurate representation of entrepreneurship would probably be a spectrum of motivation ranging from purely profit driven to entirely “social change!” based.

In their book The Power of Unreasonable People, co-authors John Elkington and Pamela Hartigan share how they have spent countless hours meeting, interviewing, and just getting to know a variety of social entrepreneurs. From their encounters, they compile a list describing “Ten Characteristics of Successful Social Entrepreneurs.” Their list is actually ten brief descriptions and not ten single qualities, but with some other investigation I think my list (while not numbering ten) of traits is a fair summary.

Creative – Social entrepreneurs most defining characteristic is their unique ability to form practical solutions that address un-served markets

Social entrepreneurs most defining characteristic is their unique ability to form practical solutions that address un-served markets Resourceful – They are able to use what’s within their reach (whether it be capital, people, connections, or other tools) and capitalize on even the smallest of opportunities

– They are able to use what’s within their reach (whether it be capital, people, connections, or other tools) and capitalize on even the smallest of opportunities Resilient/persistent – Most social entrepreneurs did not simply try their first idea, experience immediate and widespread success, and stick with that plan. Along the way there were many people who doubted them, many obstacles to overcome (constraints with time, money, man power, etc), and glitches to work through with their innovative idea. To be successful, they cannot they give up at the first sign of a rocky entrepreneurial road. They must be willing to admit failure when appropriate and build upon those mistakes.

– Most social entrepreneurs did not simply try their first idea, experience immediate and widespread success, and stick with that plan. Along the way there were many people who doubted them, many obstacles to overcome (constraints with time, money, man power, etc), and glitches to work through with their innovative idea. To be successful, they cannot they give up at the first sign of a rocky entrepreneurial road. They must be willing to admit failure when appropriate and build upon those mistakes. Optimistic – Having a positive attitude goes along with the previous characteristic, but I think it’s worth differentiating. A social entrepreneur should generally have an optimistic outlook on life and look at society’s challenges as opportunities to make change. They have faith in both their ideas/the possibility to create positive change and in “everyone’s innate capacity…to contribute meaningfully to economic and social development.”

– Having a positive attitude goes along with the previous characteristic, but I think it’s worth differentiating. A social entrepreneur should generally have an optimistic outlook on life and look at society’s challenges as opportunities to make change. They have faith in both their ideas/the possibility to create positive change and in “everyone’s innate capacity…to contribute meaningfully to economic and social development.” Unselfish – While business entrepreneurs with novel ideas will keep their innovations to themselves to gain an edge on competition and increase profit, a social entrepreneur tends to ‘share the wealth’ (wealth being societal improvements).

– While business entrepreneurs with novel ideas will keep their innovations to themselves to gain an edge on competition and increase profit, a social entrepreneur tends to ‘share the wealth’ (wealth being societal improvements). Balanced – In reference to my co-blogger Peter’s post, a successful social entrepreneur is both unafraid to jump in and do something but also knows when to take a step back and do a little more research.

– In reference to my co-blogger Peter’s post, a successful social entrepreneur is both unafraid to jump in and do something but also knows when to take a step back and do a little more research. Engaging – Elkington and Hartigan did not specifically describe this characteristic in their list, but I think it was an underlying aspect in their descriptions of social entrepreneurs in other parts of the book. A social entrepreneur, however brilliant, is probably not able to accomplish their goals entirely on his or her own. To some extent, he or she must be able to get others on board with his or her idea. Engaging may not be the best word, but somehow the social entrepreneur must be able to not only get people on her team, but also motivate them to do more – all while being approachable and open-minded to feedback.

Is it necessary that a person possess all (or even most?) of these qualities to be considered a social entrepreneur? I would argue that no – an individual need not be creative, resourceful, resilient, optimistic, unselfish, balanced, and engaging to be a social entrepreneur. Exhibiting a few of these traits would be quite helpful, but a person can also choose to become active in a non-profit organization that encompasses many of these social-entrepreneur qualities. Ahem ahem… in our very own Denison Venture Philanthropy Club we have a team of talented students who bring different combinations of these attributes to the philanthropic table! On my own I don’t think of myself as a social entrepreneur (although I won’t speak for every VPC member), but as a part of the club I do identify with “the power of unreasonable people” (see book by Elkington and Hartigan).