How to think like an entrepreneur with Dax Grant, CEO of Global Transform

Having held a variety of executive positions within FTSE 100, FORTUNE 500 and financial services organizations, Dax Grant reveals how to think like an entrepreneur and establish a purpose driven culture. Recognized for her skills in digitizing businesses, Dax is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and recognized as a Power list 100 Keynote speaker.

Having worked with a variety of FTSE 100, FORTUNE 500 firms and FinTechs as an executive director, business owner, advisor and Non-Executive Director – what do leaders need to do effectively lead a purpose driven culture?

The most important thing is knowing yourself, how you work, and therefore how you relate to other people. You need to understand your mindset in order to attain the next level of excellence.

The other aspect is looking at the entrepreneurial approach – ensuring that you are looking outward to the industry, and also towards the future. It’s about creating a curious culture that is still value based.

What do you qualify as entrepreneurial traits, and how do businesses embody that successfully?

Entrepreneurship is about having a thirsty internal structure that is focuses on understanding the customer, the client, and marketplace. It fosters healthy conversations about understanding the value of a particular business, and it’s place in the market. It’s important to have that really cohesive culture, irrespective of the size or shape of the organisation.

What are the methods that organisations can use to ensure that even with large scale growth that the entrepreneurial traits and culture remain?

When bringing the team together, you’ve got to keep it simple whatever the size and shape. You’ve got to speak plain English and be honest when something is not working. It’s about a balance between being firm and confident, but also vulnerable when you need to be.

On the other hand, you need to be looking at how the team fits together, and build those relationships because your values have got to resonate out.

How can leaders ensure their development in relation to their own awareness?

It’s really helpful to get feedback. You need to be aware of your own vision and where you want to take it.

How do you diversify your thinking, and ensure that you are always reflecting and developing your perspective as leader?

I meditate a lot, which is something that I’ve done more throughout my life. I’m deliberate about putting time in my calendar to do nothing. It’s so easy to block time out to speak, but it’s so important in today’s connected world to create that space to think.

What’s the best book, podcast or movie you would recommend that you have taken long lasting learns from?

Time to Think by Nancy Klein, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.