As an entrepreneur or business leader, the pursuit of success can often lead to unexpected roadblocks. One surprising challenge? Ego. Larry Mietus, an independent business consultant, speaker, author, and educator with nearly 20 years of experience, shares insights on how ego can quietly sabotage business growth. In this interview, Mietus explores why unchecked ego is the number one factor hindering success, especially for seasoned entrepreneurs and executives, and how to navigate the fine line between confidence and arrogance. His advice is simple but powerful: humility is crucial in leadership, and the ability to embrace learning keeps businesses thriving.
The Ego Trap in Leadership
Larry Mietus has encountered countless entrepreneurs and C-suite executives throughout his career. He notes that ego, while present in all of us, can create a significant stumbling block for many leaders. “The number one thing that I found that gets most entrepreneurs and business people in trouble is their ego,” Mietus states. He emphasizes that ego often manifests in leaders who believe they’ve reached a point where they have nothing left to learn.
"We’ve only used about 15% of our brain’s capability. The other 85% is wide open. Yet I meet people who say, ‘I’m done learning.’”
The problem with this mindset is that it stifles growth, both personally and professionally. Leaders who feel they already know everything tend to micromanage, mistrust their teams, and create bottlenecks in their businesses. Mietus believes that for true success, leaders must approach the “line in the sand” with confidence but never cross into arrogance. “We’ve all worked with people we didn’t want to approach because they were arrogant,” Mietus explains, “but we’ve also worked with those whose confidence made us want to be like a sponge, absorbing everything they shared.”
Ego's Impact on Business Operations
One of the most significant ways ego undermines business success is by causing leaders to refuse delegation. Mietus points out that entrepreneurs often believe they are the only ones who can do certain tasks, which leads to working long hours and burnout.
“They don’t trust other people to do tasks,” he says, which creates inefficiency and internal tension.
Instead of focusing on high-level strategy, leaders get caught up in tasks that they’ve hired others to handle.
Mietus also stresses the importance of financial acumen—a blind spot for many business leaders. He recalls numerous instances where entrepreneurs failed to grasp basic financial principles like cash flow, profit margins, and cost control.
“I’ll ask, ‘How do you make money?’ And they’ll tell me what they do, not how they make profit.”
For business leaders, understanding the numbers is essential for decision-making and growth. Without this knowledge, leaders often rely on ego-driven assumptions about their business, rather than data-backed insights.
Excuses That Hinder Progress
In his book We Tried That Once: And Other Popular Excuses That Sabotage Business Success, Mietus dives into the common excuses that hold businesses back. These excuses range from “we tried that once” to “we don’t have enough time or money.” However, Mietus believes that these are just smokescreens for deeper issues, often linked to ego. “We either perpetuate or condone a culture where excuses are acceptable,” he says. Instead of addressing the root causes of these problems, leaders often settle for convenient explanations.
Mietus advocates for a mindset shift: leaders must be willing to challenge these excuses and explore solutions with fresh eyes. By taking responsibility for the direction of their business and being open to feedback, leaders can overcome many of the obstacles that ego-driven excuses create. “At the end of the day, we’re still people dealing with people,” Mietus reflects, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.
Building a Culture of Learning and Growth
Mietus believes that leaders must foster a culture of learning within their organizations. Whether it’s understanding financial statements, improving operational efficiency, or adapting to new market conditions, leaders who remain open to growth will find more success in the long run. He shares an example from his work with the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where entrepreneurs from different industries discover they all face the same core challenges: “At the end of the day, those challenges seem to come back to people, process, policy, procedure, and profit—or lack thereof.”
The key takeaway here is that no matter how advanced or successful a business may be, there is always room for improvement. Leaders must resist the temptation to let ego blind them to opportunities for growth. By remaining curious, seeking feedback, and investing in continuous learning, entrepreneurs can ensure that their businesses are not only profitable but also sustainable in the long term.
Conclusion: Leadership Beyond Ego
In a world where businesses are constantly evolving, the role of leadership has expanded beyond just profitability. Today’s leaders need to cultivate emotional intelligence, practice humility, and embrace continuous learning. Mietus’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that unchecked ego can quickly derail even the most successful businesses. “Are you a real leader, or just a person in a position of authority?” he asks. Mietus encourages leaders to reflect on how they make others feel and what their teams say about them when they’re not in the room.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, Mietus offers one final piece of advice: take time to step back, listen to others, and trust your team. By doing so, you’ll not only avoid the ego trap but also create a culture of collaboration and innovation that drives long-term success.
Call to Action
If you’re ready to re-evaluate your leadership style and overcome the ego barriers that may be holding you back, consider diving deeper into Larry Mietus’s insights by grabbing a copy of his book We Tried That Once and exploring the strategies that can transform your business. Additionally, connect with Larry on LinkedIn or visit his website, speakingofstrategy.org, to learn more about how you can strengthen your leadership approach and drive success in your organization.
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