First, let\u2019s separate the \u201cgood heart\u201d from the issue of whether an entrepreneur is driven to![\"\"](\"https:\/\/berkonomics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/questioning-1.jpg\")
succeed.\u00a0 A sense of values that allows for sharing and fairness is not at odds with a \u2018type A\u2019 entrepreneur driven for success.<\/p>\n
What is important is that stakeholders (people working for and with the entrepreneur) accept the entrepreneur for his or her good intentions, sense of fairness and willingness to listen.<\/p>\n
Stories of the selfish entrepreneur<\/strong><\/p>\n I have had numerous experiences during my business career where business people I dealt with took advantage of the moment selfishly because they could, not because they should.\u00a0 I recall an executive who kept a large deposit but canceled a contract, refusing to negotiate, because the next payment due was a few days late.\u00a0 Or another who sued over a gray area issue, refusing to listen or negotiate. \u00a0(He lost the suit and paid both sides\u2019 fees.)<\/p>\n My unscientific conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n And I have come to conclude that \u201cgood guys\u201d (men and women) do finish first.\u00a0 There is no scientific proof, no metric to measure the full meaning of \u201cgood.\u201d and no special acknowledgement from any \u201cgood-watching\u201d organization.\u00a0 Even without these, I am sure of this.<\/p>\n [Email readers, continue here…]\u00a0<\/em> <\/span>Surely the ruthless more often win in the short run.\u00a0 But early successes, built upon the broken backs of adversaries, are rarely followed by long- term wins for the tyrant or for the tyrant\u2019s company.<\/p>\n Be of good heart.\u00a0 You will enjoy your entrepreneurial or managerial ride much more, and your stakeholders will follow you through the flames as well as cheer your successes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" People argue over whether an entrepreneur with a sense of fairness, a desire for collegiality, a want to share the profits can succeed in the long run within a business world full of lions and tigers that eat timid entrepreneurs … Continue reading