I belong to a very special organisation called EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organisation). It’s not special because it has 7000 members worldwide, in 38 countries, employing 924,000 people and collectively turning over One Trillion Rand. It’s special because of the commitment of the individuals involved in the organisation. It’s special because of the consistent nature of its members. These are entrepreneurs bent on improving themselves and, consequently, making their organisations better. What EO understood, when it developed its methodology, was that entrepreneurial businesses are as good or as bad as their founders or leaders. The growth of each business, therefore, is limited by the capacity and capability of the individual entrepreneurs at its helm. Consequently, EO is designed with the personal growth of the entrepreneur in mind.

We all have a shadow, that dark part of our personality that we try and hide. We spend vast amounts of energy keeping it hidden not only from others, but, more unfortunately, from ourselves. Our belief system is that if we ignore it for long enough, it will go away. The truth is that it never goes away, but, in fact, grows like a mushroom in the dark. The only way to, possibly, overcome its devastating long- term effect is by shining a light on it: bringing it into the open and dealing with it. Some do this in therapy, others in self-help groups, but most entrepreneurs never do anything about this shadow. They walk around like Superman with kryptonite hidden in his back pocket, never knowing why he can’t quite reach the levels he knows he should be able to.

The one thing that stands out for me, with EO members, is their above average understanding of their “shadows” and their continual pursuit to shine light on it and rid themselves of it, knowing full well that when this one disappears, the light they shine will uncover a deeper, more difficult issue to solve.

Dealing with your demons, whether through therapy, peer groups or reading, is vital to your long-term entrepreneurial success. View this as an investment in your personal and business success.

This Week’s Challenge

Deal with your Demons