Danger of Inward Fixation. Alexander Lyadov
Danger of Inward Fixation
When we forget about ourselves, we become better. Back in my motorcycle days, the relationship between safety and speed was linked to the number of thoughts in my head. The more I dwelled on personal issues, the more I veered off the optimal path or lost control of the wheels. Similarly, in a jiu-jitsu match, even the slightest distraction from the action increases the risk of being caught in a submission hold. In business, I offer clients the most benefit when I'm formally present during a session, but essentially absent. The client's question engulfs my attention completely. I transform into an efficient tool.
Likewise, entrepreneurs often suffer from problems caused by none other than themselves. Their focus is excessively directed inward, within the company. If we view a business as a reflection of the founder's personality, it's safe to say they are fixated on themselves. Arguments with partners, status meetings, micromanagement, hyper-control, and so forth. All this seems crucial and devours the founders' energy resources. Ultimately, they begin seeking relief on the side.
Liberation from these problems is paradoxical. For a company to heal and grow, it's necessary to think about it less. Priority number one should be understanding customer problems. Not in slogans, but in concrete actions. Transformation shouldn't start with team training, but with changing the founder's behavior. As founders delve into customer struggles, their own business issues untangle.
