Chapter 2

Living Organizations

So far we have established that the dream of business ownership and ­leadership can all too often turn into a mixed blessing, or even a nightmare. We have seen that a part of the reason is the sheer number of ­moving parts involved in running a business. But that’s not all, and may not even be the most important issue you face in leading your business.

If you remember nothing else about this book, I hope you will take away this key point: The starting point for building and growing a healthy business (or any organization) is the recognition that your business is actually alive. Let me repeat—your business is truly and fundamentally a living thing. As such it has an existence apart from you. In other words, it actually ...

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