The Anatomy of the Entrepreneur: Clinical Observations

• Published in: Human relations (New York) 1996-07, Vol.49 (7), p.853-883
• Main Author: Kets de Vries, Manfred F. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral sciences; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Narcissism; Occupations; Organization theory; Psychoanalysis; Psychoanalytic theory; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Single case studies; Sociology; Sociology of professions; Sociology of work; Sociology of work and sociology of organizations; Studies; Work behaviour
• ISSN: 0018-7267; 1741-282X
• DOI: 10.1177/001872679604900701

In psychoanalytic theory, studies of work behavior have been relatively scarce. Most of the existing literature concerns itself with cases of work inhibition or compulsion. Occasionally, one finds a discussion of people in the creative professions. No attention has been paid, however, to a major contributor to economic development in society, the entrepreneur. This contrasts sharply with the amount of attention given to entrepreneurs by other disciplines. The object of this study is to better understand the dynamics of entrepreneurship, and in particular the work behavior of entrepreneurs. First, there is a brief overview of the role of work in psychoanalytic theory. Then a number of factors important to entrepreneurship are reviewed from the perspective of economic, sociological, anthropological, psychological, and organizational theory. A case history is presented of one entrepreneur who chose to be treated through psychoanalysis. The intensity of this type of treatment means that continuity in observation is provided. This case study therefore offers a unique insight into the complex "inner theater" of one particular entrepreneur. Previous research on entrepreneurship has identified a number of themes common among some entrepreneurs. In the entrepreneurial theater a need for control, a sense of distrust, a desire for applause, and resorting to primitive defensive mechanisms such as splitting, projection, denial, and the flight into action ("the manic defense") appear to be common. The behavior of a number of entrepreneurs also seems to have a cyclothymic quality. Moreover, for many of them, their narcissistic development tends to be of a "reactive" nature reflecting difficulties in the regulation of self-esteem. This case history illustrates these themes, and furthermore, shows that running a business is not necessarily a rational process. On the contrary, in many instances, the process seems to be more a question of retrospective "rationalizing" of decisions already made. Finally, inferences are made about the person-organization interface by identifying some of the characteristics of the dramatic organization, a configuration typically created by a number of entrepreneurs.