The Seven Deadly Sinsof Entrepreneurs

Clive WrightCarbon Offset Global

•Pride•Avarice•Envy•Wrath•Lust•Gluttony•Sloth

Pride Defined• Commonest sin of entrepreneurs • A sense of superiority• A belief that only you are right• Treating others as inferior• Expecting “hero-worship”• The belief that “no one gets it”

Consequences of Pride

• Blocks help– Because you cannot see

• Destroys relationships– Because you cannot listen

• Hinders progress– Because you cannot delegate

• Repels true partners/advisors– Because you cannot trust

Avarice Defined• Excessive desire for money• To desire money for its own sake• To keep reward for oneself

Consequences of Avarice• Blocks thought

– Because you see only money• Destroys relationships

– Because you cannot share• Hinders business development

– Because the business comes last• Repels employees

– Because you will not reward fully

Envy Defined• “Comparisons are odious”• The green-eyed monster• Desire for what others have• Discontent due to others’

success• Focus on other businesses

Consequences of Envy• Blocks focus

– Because you see only others’ gain• Destroys peace of mind

– Because you are obsessively bitter• Hinders business creativity

– Because you are chasing shadows• Repels people

– Because you are unpleasant to be with

Wrath Defined• Resentful anger• Desire for revenge• Nursing hurts

Consequences of Wrath• Blocks clear thinking

– Because you see only your loss• Distorts your world-view

– Because you are focused on yourself• Hinders progress

– Because you are always looking back• Corrodes relationships

– Because you always looking for slights

Lust• An overwhelming desire for gain• Uncontrollable drive to win• Burning desire to acquire

Consequences of Lust• Sidelines ethics

– Because you can only see the goal• Destroys balance

– Because you are obsessively focused• Hinders objectivity

– Because you are chasing gratification• Isolates

– Because you are totally selfish

Gluttony Defined• Excessive consumption• Destructive resource usage• Grasping acquisition• Selfishness

Consequences of Gluttony

• Wastefulness– Because you cannot defer reward

• Chaos – Because you cannot plan

• Lack of Focus– Because you are self-gratifying

• Loneliness – Because you are unable to share

Sloth• Laziness• Procrastination• Inability to act• Slowness to respond

Consequences of Sloth• Missed Opportunities

– Because you cannot respond in time• Frustrated partners / employees

– Because you do not make decisions• Poor planning

– Because you will not commit• Inconsistent execution

– Because you do not follow through

Which are your Sins? • No one is perfect• We all have faults• With self-knowledge comes

change

What can I do?• Find people to complement you

– Look for real diversity• Encourage differences

– Don’t just tolerate!• Be aware of the dangers

– But do not swing to the opposite• Look for sustainable performance

– Be dynamic but not frenetic…

Thought then deed

•Target•Aim•Fire

Thank You