Eva Norlyk Smith Ph.d.

Elements of Entrepreneurial Success: the Role of Core Competencies, Inner Development, and Spirituality in Entrepreneurship Eva Norlyk Smith Ph.d.

Are there common inner competencies, qualities, or skills that play a role in the business success of entrepreneurs? If so, what are these, and can they be developed? This book seeks to explore these questions and cast light on the relationship between inner development and its practical expression in business performance. The book charts the results of an exploratory study using Grounded Theory, which looked at the common features of success in 21 entrepreneurs, who were also long-term practitioners of a technique for inner development, Transcendental Meditation. The results of the study point to several common entrepreneurial competencies which also appear to be linked to experiences of inner personal development. These include use of intuition, a strong sense of purpose, enhanced creative thinking and problem solving, as well as increased coping skills resulting from a sense of being grounded in an inner, spiritual core. In addition, many entrepreneurs showed an orientation towards more universal values, which embraced the wider interests of the community and the environment.