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February 20, 2008

Psychoanalyzing Entrepreneurs: They're Wacky

Amusing excerpt from a longer research piece psycho-analyzing the entrepreneurial mindset:

In the entrepreneurial theater a need for control, a sense of distrust, a desire for applause, and resorting to primitive defensive mechanisms such as splitting, projection, denial, and the flight into action ("the manic defense") appear to be common. The behavior of a number of entrepreneurs also seems to have a cyclothymic [ed., bipolar disorder] quality. Moreover, for many of them, their narcissistic development tends to be of a "reactive" nature reflecting difficulties in the regulation of self-esteem. This case history illustrates these themes, and furthermore, shows that running a business is not necessarily a rational process. On the contrary, in many instances, the process seems to be more a question of retrospective "rationalizing" of decisions already made.

Gosh, sounds like most of my friends -- okay, and me for that matter. I'm particularly fond of the line about "difficulties in the regulation of self-esteem". You mean we entrepreneurial sorts are often preening, irritating blowhards? What a surprise.

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