Marco had built his tech startup from the ground up. It wasn’t just a business—it was his business. Every decision, every success, every breakthrough was because of him. And he made sure everyone knew it.
His team had ideas, but Marco had better ones. His managers suggested improvements, but Marco dismissed them. “Trust me, I know what I’m doing,” he’d say.
At home, it was the same. His wife, Laura, saw the stress piling up, the late nights getting later, the frustration growing behind his forced confidence. “Maybe you should listen to your team more,” she gently suggested one evening.
Marco scoffed. “They don’t see the whole picture like I do.”
Then came the cracks. Employees started leaving, tired of being unheard. Clients walked away, frustrated by Marco’s refusal to adapt. Revenues dipped, but Marco refused to admit mistakes.
And one night, after yet another argument about work, Laura sighed, “Marco, you’re losing more than just business.”
That was the moment it hit him.
His business was failing. His marriage was strained. And the common denominator? His pride.
The next day, Marco did something he hadn’t done in years—he listened. He asked his team for feedback, really heard them, and let go of the need to control everything. It wasn’t easy. But slowly, his company—and his relationships—began to recover.
Lesson: Pride can start a business, but unchecked, it can also destroy it. Listen. Learn. Let go.
