“What would Richard Branson do?”

A question that many young individuals ask themselves whenever they are overcome with obstacles in life or business. Being one of the most successful entrepreneur today, Richard Branson has made a name of himself to be very at-ease with failure and obstacles. Although it may seem like everything he touches turns to gold, everything isn’t always peachy for him. Just like every human being on the planet, he has his own weaknesses. The difference between him and others though is the way he responds to his weaknesses. One of the reasons he became so successful is due to his way of turning his weaknesses into strengths, both for himself and his business. If he is an inspiration for you, you will want to read the rest of this article as I break down how he overcomes his weaknesses the Richard Branson way – quick and to the point!

1. Richard Branson hates public speaking.

But he decided to see public speaking like a one-on-one conversation with someone he knows. Rather than focusing on the big audience in front of him, he pictured himself talking to one person and let his personality shine over his stage fright.

2. Richard Branson had a lack of experience.

But he made sure to focus on the product or service he could provide rather than his own experience. When he started his own newspaper, he didn’t have any experience in the business. Instead of letting other people know about his lack of experience, he shifted the light towards what the newspaper could provide – a voice for younger generations – which is what made it such a success. 

3. Richard Branson has Dyslexia.

But he made his disorder part of his business, as he listened to speeches rather than reading them and provided visuals rather than long texts. If he could understand the campaign’s message quickly, he knew that the rest of the population could as well.

4. Richard Branson was Academically challenged.

But he took it as a sign that he was made for something greater. He knew from a young age that his thinking was different from the rest, and he embraced it by quitting school and following his visions. He didn’t let a grade affect his self-esteem or his dreams; the only grades he followed were the ones he gave himself.

5. Richard Branson gets bored easily.

But he follows his fast-paced visions by jumping from one idea to the next. Whenever he opens a new business, he spends a few months concentrating on building it from the ground up and then hires people to run the business while he moves to his next great idea. This way, he doesn’t have time to get bored with the business, as he hands over the managing to someone who doesn’t get bored as easily. 

6. Richard Branson doesn’t like to fire quickly.

But he embraces this weaknesses by not making his company like every other one and treating each employee like family. A strong connection between employees and and employers is important for optimal results, and Richard Branson runs his businesses like his home, with the employees being family.

7. Richard Branson was shy.

But he knows what he’s talking about and focuses on his knowledge rather than his shyness. He learns a lot about the subjects he is most likely to discuss, which gives him a boost in confidence as he approaches the stage or enters a room filled with people looking at him. He makes people laugh to loosen the tension in the conversation and make him more comfortable with the other person.

8. Richard Branson is not computer-savvy.

But he knows people who can do all the computer work for him. He delegates computer work to people who have the ability and knowledge to make the best of technology.