I have conversed with business owners enough times to know that, when we have differing opinions on a shared matter, we can become egotistical. We verbally say that we are open to change and learn, yet when someone suggests something that we think is unrealistic, expensive, innovative and impossible, we become close-minded and even unwilling to listen further.

I guess the same is true in all relationships. We may fight battles with our loved ones instigated by our egos. My husband and I have been together for 20 wonderful years and happily married for 16 years. He once told me during an argument that I was never wrong. While I know it is not true, the fact that he decided to let go of his ego and apologize to dissipate the negative emotions in the air makes him the bigger person. He chose happiness over being right for the sake of our relationship.

Business owners should learn to do the same. They need to choose to be profitable, innovative, and sometimes even vulnerable over being egotistical.