The Bad Side of Success

I had an interesting conversation with a woman recently on the dark or bad side of success. She seemed to think that every single CEO takes advantage of their own power and uses that same power to oppress employees and destroy society. Well, this is a bit extreme. I don’t like being categorized this way and I know other business owners and CEOs that don’t fit this description.

I can’t, however, deny that there isn’t a bad side to success. Some business situations are difficult and require a bit of a mean streak to navigate. In order to get what you want and what is best for your company and employees, sometimes being a master manipulator and a bit of a narcissist will benefit business.

Being able to have no regrets can be considered a “bad” trait, as this woman pointed out. But this trait is an important one. Business owners have to try new things and not become emotionally attached to ideas that fail. Why? They have to bounce back, move forward and keep generating income and jobs. If we become too invested in our failures, we will never be able to move forward.

So, I plead with anyone who thinks CEOs are hardened or possess “bad” traits to reconsider. Think about why these alleged bad traits (no attachment, narcissist behavior, manipulation), are needed to move business forward. I believe that as long as one uses these traits in ethical business deals, that all is OK and that these “bad” traits can actually be used for good!

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett