Three Types of Owners Who Are Destined to Fail Click to read English version
我相信很多人都喜欢读成功老板的传记，喜欢探寻成功老板的成功秘密。成功有成功的方法，失败也有失败的理由。今天，我不说别的，不说成功的老板是如何做到的，不说企业成功的要素是什么？就说那些老板会失败，这似乎有点神，其实一点也不神，因为很多时候，一开始你就注定结局是什么。俗话说“三岁看大，七岁看老”不是没有道理的。那么，哪些老板注定会失败？
第一类：固步自封的老板
固步自封指保守着老一套的成功模式或方法，不愿意尝试新的方法和新的模式。这类老板的想法主要出于以下原因：一是他们胆小慎微，缺少变革的胆量，怕担风险，害怕损失；二是他们自认为自己的做法已经很好，躺在温柔乡中不知时日过，认为没有必要引进新的方法，无视或无知新形势的变化和趋势。也正因为其不愿意变革，造成企业的落后和难以适应市场，难以应对新问题。待到他看到形势变化时已经是大势已去，追悔莫及。剩下的只能是眼看落花流水去，无奈东风来得晚。2008年后至少有一半以上的老板都是因为固步自封的原因造成企业的经营维艰，甚至倒闭。中国的中小企业是一个庞大的群体，它们的数量占到所有中国企业的99%，创造了中国60% 的GDP。但是，这个群体的老板很多因为文化水平不高、知识结构缺陷，造成很多老板看不远、看不懂、看不到形势变化。然而，形势变化比风快，2015年我们还在大谈特谈微信营销，今天就已经是谈物联网、谈“微＋”营销了；昨天还是60后、70后创业成功的经验之谈，今天已是90后创业的大世界。即使我们不能把企业变成风口上的猪，但至少也要认识变化的重要性，唯不变应万变，企业才能发展，才能生存。老板除了知道变革的重要性，还要清楚从哪里开始变革，先变什么，后变什么。历史的规律、自然的规律注定固步自封的老板一定会成为过去式，因为新的总要代替旧的，未来的总要成为现在的。
第二、刚愎自用的老板
我们发现，刚愎自用型的老板都是那些有本事、自信心很强的人。自信心成就了他们的一番成就，也成为其失败或业绩下滑的重要因素。这既是优点也是缺点，优点是自信强，让人感觉到这种人有能力，跟随这种人能够成就一番事业，所以，他们的感染力强，容易笼络人心；缺点是太过自信，过高估计自己的能力，甚至放大自己的能力变得自负，不听别人劝告，对忠言觉得逆耳，对奉承十分认可，最后也是因为这点缺点导致失败。
历史上，刚愎自用的失败案例很多，如马谡刚愎自用失街亭，关羽刚愎自用丢荆州，项羽刚愎自用性命不保。他们都是因为性格的缺陷导致失败。
现实工商业里，这类老板也很多，从80年代、90年代的牟先生开始到2000年后许多成功而后又出事的大老板们无一不是因为自己的刚愎自用，尤其是那些赫赫有名的像黄X裕、兰X立大老板，他们都是刚愎自用的人。他们的成功是值得我们学习的，但性格缺陷也不得不认真考究。
刚愎自用型的老板只有历经了磨难之后才能醒悟，没有风波的吹洗是很难让他们觉悟的，但一旦经历了风波之后，他们将又是另一翻景象。世界上没有一帆风顺过来的成功者，更没有一帆风顺成就的圣人，成功路上本就是荆棘丛生，又何来十全十美的成功人？
所以有人说，“成也萧何败也萧何”，其实，很多成功就源自刚愎自用的自信，但最后失败也是因为刚愎自用的自负。
第三、狂妄自大的老板
为什么人会狂妄自大？狂妄自大是因为他们觉得天下无敌，唯我独尊，又或者，他们坐井观天，不知道世界有多大，不知道山外有山的道理。我估计，目前狂妄自大的人大多是属于前者，因为他们仅仅是看到自己在某个行业、某个产业、某个区域是领头羊。移动互联网年代很少人不知道世界企业的强大和厉害的。狂妄自大型老板一般都是在某个领域有一定成就的。因为成功，所以导致他们觉得自己无所不能。我的一位朋友他在经销三个知名品牌很成功，年总销售额做到接近十个亿，于是，他开始四处寻找投资，2008年开始先后投资煤矿、投资洗浴、投资房地产、投资收购工厂、投资金融，结果几乎是全盘失败。去年，我们在长沙见面聊天，我跟他说了几句话：“不熟不做”、“人精力有限”、“人不是全能的”。后来我听别人说，他把我的话听进去了，2015年下半年全面做减法，收缩了所有的投资，全力以赴做好老本行，现在仅有一项投资——金融。我的这位朋友表面是很诚恳的，内心是狂妄自大的。他没有分析过自己的成功是基于三大原因：一是中国经济高速发展阶段，所有行业都在井喷；二是不知道自己的成功是基于别人的品牌运作成功，自己是在别人成功基础上成就的；三是原来他们的团队有几个很好的合作伙伴，三个伙伴有人懂战略、做规划，有人务战术、能执行，有人管经营、会预算、会核算。目前，好在他能够及时收手，不然的话他会成为失败者。
狂妄自大的老板为什么会失败？最主要的原因是无视消费者的变化，无视竞争对手的崛起，无视自身的条件有限，无视环境、政策的变动影响。人不可能万能，也不可能成功无限，这就如同一个人会生、老、病、死这些自然规律一样。也正如一句话说的那样：“上帝要他灭亡，先叫他疯狂”。因为他的疯狂，所以导致他的盲目，他的盲目导致他的失败！
古语有云：“性格决定命运”老板的性格很大程度上决定了企业的成与败。因为，老板的性格就是企业的性格，这种性格就成为企业文化，文化自然而然影响着企业的行为，行为决定企业的命运。
English Version
Three Types of Owners Who Are Destined to Fail
Introduction: In the world of business ownership, not all owners are created equal. Some owners have natural instincts that lead them toward success, while others seem destined for failure. Understanding the characteristics of owners who fail can help aspiring entrepreneurs avoid making similar mistakes. This article identifies three types of owners who are inevitably headed toward failure.
Type 1: The Control Freak Owner
The first type of owner destined to fail is the “control freak.” This owner believes that everything must be done exactly as they envision it, leaving no room for creativity, collaboration, or innovation.
Characteristics:
- Micro-management of every aspect of the business
- Inability to delegate or trust employees
- Resistance to new ideas or suggestions
- Refusal to acknowledge mistakes or learn from them
Why They Fail:
By trying to control every detail, these owners create a stifling environment that kills creativity and demotivates employees. They fail to recognize that successful businesses require trust, collaboration, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Type 2: The Arrogant Owner
The second type is the arrogant owner. This individual believes they know everything, refuses to listen to advice, and looks down on others. Their arrogance blinds them to important realities and opportunities.
Characteristics:
- Belief in their own infallibility
- Refusal to seek help or advice
- Belittling others’ contributions and ideas
- Inability to admit mistakes or acknowledge others’ expertise
Why They Fail:
Arrogance creates barriers to learning, growth, and improvement. These owners miss valuable insights, fail to build strong teams, and ultimately lose respect from employees, customers, and partners. Their inability to learn from others and adapt to feedback ensures their downfall.
Type 3: The Lazy Owner
The third type is the lazy owner. This individual may have started with passion and dedication, but over time has become complacent, relying on others to do the work while they take the credit.
Characteristics:
- Lack of engagement or active involvement
- Reliance on others to make key decisions
- Taking credit for others’ work and ideas
- Ignoring operational details and day-to-day challenges
Why They Fail:
Business ownership requires constant attention and active involvement. Lazy owners create disengaged teams, miss critical opportunities, and fail to address problems before they become crises. Their complacency leads to stagnation and eventual decline.
The Danger of These Traits
These three types of owners share common dangers:
- Limited Growth: Each trait directly limits the owner’s ability to grow and succeed
- Team Dissatisfaction: Employees quickly become demotivated and disengaged
- Missed Opportunities: The owner fails to recognize or pursue important opportunities
- Customer Loss: Poor leadership and complacency lead to customer dissatisfaction
- Financial Decline: Eventually, these traits result in declining revenue and profitability
How to Avoid These Traps
Avoiding these pitfalls requires self-awareness and intentional effort:
- Practice Delegation: Learn to trust and empower your team
- Cultivate Humility: Stay open to learning and feedback
- Stay Engaged: Be actively involved in your business operations
- Seek Advice: Build a network of mentors and advisors
- Adapt and Learn: Be willing to change and improve based on feedback
The Path to Success
Successful owners exhibit the opposite traits:
- They delegate effectively and trust their teams
- They remain humble and continuously learn
- They stay actively engaged and involved
- They seek and value advice and feedback
- They adapt and evolve based on circumstances
Conclusion
Understanding these three types of owners who are destined to fail is the first step toward avoiding these mistakes. By recognizing these traits in yourself or others, you can take proactive steps to change course. Remember, business ownership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. The most successful owners are those who remain humble, engaged, and open to improvement.
Don’t become a control freak, an arrogant owner, or a lazy owner. Embrace delegation, stay humble, remain engaged, and commit to continuous learning. Your business – and your team – will thank you for it.