In this episode of Get On Track, host Jim Adams explores the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in driving success in business and life. He shares his own journey of realizing that the biggest obstacle in the growth of a young business is often the business owner themselves and how he had to learn to ask for help and grow as a person to scale his business.
Exploring Personal Growth
Understanding who we are is pivotal in order to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. The biggest obstacle in the growth of a young business is often the business owner themselves. He explains how he had to learn to ask for help and grow as a person in order to scale his business.
Survival and Executive States
Jim delves into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with high “A” personalities, particularly when it comes to scaling their businesses. He explores the importance of being aware of one’s survival function, which can either work for or against us, and the need to rewire some of our memorized emotions that have become part of our personalities. It is important to be cognizant of our strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots, as well as the importance of implementing systems and rules within the business.
Business Owner Identity
Which type of business owner are you? Each type has its own unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, which can either help or hinder the growth and success of their businesses. Understanding one’s own business owner type can help in building a more effective team and maximizing the potential for success. The four types of business owners mentioned in the episode are:
- Gunslinger: This type of business owner is characterized by their high level of autonomy and independence. They often have a strong drive to succeed and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. However, their independent nature can sometimes make it difficult for them to work with others and implement systems and rules within their businesses. Gunslingers are often the founders of businesses and may struggle with scaling their businesses due to their reluctance to delegate tasks or follow established procedures.
- Mechanic: Unlike gunslingers, mechanics are more focused on the importance of systems, procedures, and processes within their businesses. They see the value in having a structured approach to running their businesses and often excel in operations and management. Their attention to detail and willingness to follow established rules can help them build well-organized and efficient businesses. However, they may sometimes lack the entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking attitude that can drive rapid growth and innovation.
- Goalie: Goalies are business owners who prioritize stability and security in their businesses. They tend to be more conservative in their decision-making and are often risk-averse. While this cautious approach can help protect their businesses from potential threats, it may also limit their ability to seize new opportunities and innovate. Goalies may need to find a balance between maintaining stability and embracing change to achieve long-term success.
- Unicorn: The unicorn business owner is a rare and idealized type that possesses a balanced blend of the strengths of the other three types. They have the entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking attitude of a gunslinger, the systems-oriented mindset of a mechanic, and the stability-focused approach of a goalie. While it may be unrealistic to expect any business owner to perfectly embody all these traits, striving to develop a more balanced skill set can help create a more effective and successful business leader.
This episode serves as a foundation for upcoming conversations with high-performing race car drivers, successful entrepreneurs, and experts in mindset and marketing. Whether you’re a race car driver, business owner, or someone looking to start a side hustle, the insights shared in this episode aim to help you grow and succeed in your chosen path.
If you want to learn more about Get on Track, check out https://jimadamsconsulting.com/got002/
