Big-Talking Entrepreneurs
Have you ever met a big-talking entrepreneur?
The type who flaps his gums to you about bioreactors and continuous circuits and other high-tech whozits ‘n whatzats. Who asks about your business to test your intellect and decide whether or not the small neurons shooting in your head – which naturally pale in comparison to his – are worth his time. Who will sooner explain why an entrepreneur’s success “isn’t so impressive” than celebrate another’s good fortune.
Indeed entrepreneurship brings you in contact with a lot of interesting people. More times than not they’re bright, hard-working individuals who are humble about their accomplishments.
Then there are the big-talkers, or the guys of the variety I described above.
They’re arrogant and they talk over you. They concern themselves more with describing their businesses than asking about your own. And they only associate with people who can help them.
My short experience has brought me into contact with this sort of entrepreneur – call him Pete – and I fortunately see him on an almost-daily basis. I say “fortunately” because knowing guys like this serve us well: They illustrate what not to be like.
When I hear myself saying something that sounds like it would come from Pete’s mouth, or doing something that seems like something Pete would do, I take a corrective measure.
You can too: Occasionally it means changing our tone of voice. Other times it implies closing our mouths altogether.
But at every interval it reminds us to take some deliberate measure to consciously monitor our behavior.
Maybe you’ve had an experience of a similar sort learning what not to say or do by the example of another (big-talker or otherwise).
If so, share it here.
Brian Lash is founder of The Tipping Blog and writes about the entrepreneurial experience at BrianLash.com
5 Comments
David Askaripour
March 19th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Oh yeah…. I used to come across so many of these type of people. But I think it boils down the the energy you project — there is a certain way to handle yourself when your amongst people of that nature. You simply never — ever, ever, ever — bow down to their level. I usually keep quite and let my actions do the speaking when interacting with such people. They are on this universe to drag others down, so try to steer clear of them.
Lawrence of a USA
March 19th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
if the big talker is not backing it up(with a successful business), then talk about his business. and point it out - how he’s all bark and no bite
if he is successful, then that’s all good - atleast he can backup all his bark…since he does infact have bite
Arne
March 20th, 2007 at 8:56 am
There’s a saying going something like this: “You can recognize a ‘good’ entrepreneur by the positive energy he/she sends out. A ‘bad’ entrepreneur just sucks up the energy already there.”
I’ve been in several situations where this was very much the case.
David Askaripour
March 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Well said, Arne. You’re totally right.
Brian
March 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
You guys make great points -
“You simply never — ever, ever, ever — bow down to their level.”
That’s an important message. It’s easy when you speak with one of these guys to start talking about your own business, or your own prospects, in their big-talking terms. Blah, Don’t let it happen. Even if you win, you won’t forgive yourself.
And Arne, I agree… that “sapping of good energy” you refer to has serious implications contextually. It’s so demoralizing to have to work with - AROUND, even - those types of guys. They don’t promote a healthy, fulfilling work environment. And even the most resilient entrepreneurs notice (and are adversely effected) by that.
Lawrence - always appreciate the input. And I know what you mean. A big-talker who can “back it up” exists in a different playing field than those folks who cannot.
Leave a Comment