The 1 Missing Element of Michael Gerber’s E-Myth Book

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There is a book by Michael Gerber that nearly every actual and wannabe entrepreneur should read called The E-Myth.  (NOTE: The book’s actual title is “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It.”)

Overall, it is brilliant.  One of the main points of the book is that one main reason that it’s so hard to be a business owner is that it requires us to be three (3) people:  a technician, a manager, and an entrepreneur.  Most of us are only one or two or these, but a successful business needs all three of these elements.

See Also: Why the Best Businesses Try to Offend People

My slowly developing experience thinks this is brilliant and accurate.

However, I realize that there is one missing “person.”

1 Important Thing That Separates the Best Companies

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Have you noticed that some companies just “seem” better than others?   They just seem to provide “better service.”

What does it mean to “provide better service?”

Honestly, there are lots of answers—and most of them are very good.  However, I’ve come to realize that the BEST companies (not necessarily the most profitable ones) do ONE (1) thing that other (lesser) companies do not.

What is that one (1) thing that all great companies do?

Confidence vs. Cockiness

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I’ve asked myself this question many times, “What is the difference between confidence and cockiness?”

Business owners and managers take note.  I’m beginning with a story, but I’m really talking to you (and myself).

A buddy of mine tried to be nice and bond with one of his kids by agreeing to coach his soccer team.  The team did not have a coach, and he took the spot to try and help.

BUT…There is a problem.

He doesn’t know very much about soccer.  So he asked me to help him (since at one time in my life, I was “The Soccer Guy.”)

The other night, the team had its first game, and we did not know ANY of the kids on the team…except for my buddy’s kid.

However, as I started to learn about the kids (with a ton more to learn, still), one specific kid really frustrated me.  One word that kept crossing my mind is “cocky.”  He’s a cocky kid…really cocky.

That got me thinking, what is the difference between confidence (good) and cockiness (not so good)?