Business Success and Selfishness...

I read an interesting article in one of the papers recently that was discussing the link between business success and selfishness (or extreme dedicated ambition depending I suppose on how you want to put it!)

I wondered what you lot here thought - is there a link betwen the two?

It certainly seems that many who are successful in business are if not selfish then close to it, and extremely focused on achieveing success no matter what roadblocks are placed in their way.

Re : Business Success and Selfishness

Hi Sasha

That's interesting. I'm not sure if the word 'selfish' is right but they do need to be extremely driven (they being entrepreneurs that succeed and make a lot of money).

I guess it has similarities to selfishness but I think that might be the wrong word.

Re : Business Success and Selfishness

You need to be confident and, if you excuse the pun, DRIVEN, in order to succeed in business

Re : Business Success and Selfishness

Basically, it's demonising business and success, which is a common perception in many countries, for example France.

Perception is better in the UK and US. Which is one reason why more people tend to gravitate there.

Re : Business Success and Selfishness

Interesting - is there a very anti-entrepreneurial sentiment in France then? I didn't realise that.

I think the US probably has the best attitude, with the whole 'American dream' thing that is has going on, although studies in social mobility show there is no greater chance of someone working their way up to the top as it were in the States than in Western Europe. But they certainly encourage ambition a lot more over there.