By David Boddy, Partner & Lead on Future of Work:

My email in-box is frequently populated with requests from entrepreneurs, both young and not-so-young, seeking help and support, advice and money, to launch or grow their fledgling business.

This week, one 30-something entrepreneur asked: “So how do you pick who you will support; what’s your secret sauce?”

It’s the kind of question all of the Partners at Prime Advantage face in one way or another. For me, there is something more important than the projected P&L, the balance sheet, the marketing plan and the cashflow.

It’s the energy of the entrepreneur.

Not just their work-rate; nor their passion – as important as they are.

It’s the subtle energy of inner-quiet; the energy that lets them see what is really happening; that lets them inwardly know right from wrong, useful from unhelpful; that lets them take the right decisions at the right time.

One entrepreneur came seeking help, full of bonhomie and total conviction that he and his small team had all the ingredients for the next Unicorn to emerge. But through the due diligence process it became clear that he lacked the ability to step back, see the bigger picture, reflect intelligently on both the opportunities and the threats to his early-stage enterprise.

He lacked what I sometimes call ‘Swan energy’ – a connection with that kind of conscious intelligence that needs to come to the fore when the inevitable happens.

And what’s inevitable in the growth of a business?

Problems, challenges, upsets, disappointments. Things not going to plan. Hoped-for sales not materialising. Clients being knocked off their perch by events beyond their control.

Before supporting a fledging enterprise, I like to see that the leadership team have the inner-strength to step back, take a high-level view, reflect on options and then make them good choices as to how to deal with the problems.

I’m not looking for the next Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos – I hope I would have the ability to spot them if I do. I’m looking for entrepreneurs – like a good sailor – who can demonstrate the ability to weather the storms, as well as make the best use of tailwinds when they arrive.

Can you teach or coach someone to change their balance of energies?

It’s not easy, but you certainly can. It all depends on the mindset of the leader. And their willingness to grow their powers of attention and awareness. Patiently.

Patience is not the first quality people normally look to develop when growing a business, or even investing in it.

Maybe more entrepreneurs need to remember the old story of the hare and the tortoise? And that growing a business is more of a marathon than a sprint.