I was sitting in my psychology class today, deep in discussion about Freud’s theory of personality—the ID, the Ego, and the Superego. We talked about how each of these components plays a unique role in shaping who we are, how our decisions are made, and ultimately, how our personality unfolds. The conversation took an interesting turn when we discussed what happens when one of these elements dominates over the others, especially the importance of a strong Ego to mediate between the impulsive ID and the rule-bound Superego.

While listening to the discussion, a thought crossed my mind: over the years, in my professional interactions with businesspeople, there has been a striking commonality. Almost all of them exuded a strong dominance of the ID. It made me pause and think—does a stronger ID give someone an edge in the business world?

The ID and the Business Mindset

The ID, as Freud puts it, is the primal, instinctual part of our psyche. It craves instant gratification, thrives on desires, and often disregards societal norms or consequences. In contrast, the Superego is like a moral compass, pushing us to act within the boundaries of what’s “right” and “acceptable.” Between these two extremes lies the Ego, the mediator, which strives to strike a balance between impulsivity and morality, between action and hesitation.

Now, when I think about the entrepreneurs and businesspeople I’ve encountered, one thing stands out: their ability to act on instinct and take risks without letting societal expectations or fears of failure paralyze them. Isn’t that, in essence, a hallmark of a dominant ID?

Imagine launching a startup. The Superego might remind you of all the ways you could fail: “What will people think if this idea doesn’t work? What if I lose all my savings?” The Ego might try to weigh the pros and cons endlessly. But the ID? It just says, “Let’s do it!” It’s the part of you that acts on desire and instinct—no overthinking, no moral dilemmas, just raw action.

The Flip Side of the Coin

Of course, there are two sides to every coin. An unchecked ID can lead to recklessness, impulsive decisions, and a lack of foresight. On the other hand, a dominant Superego can hold us back from pursuing our dreams, making us overly cautious and too worried about failure or societal judgment.

That’s where the Ego comes in, the real MVP of the psyche. The Ego doesn’t just mediate between the ID and the Superego; it negotiates, makes sense of their conflicting demands, and ensures we don’t spiral into chaos. In business, a strong Ego is essential to channel the ID’s raw energy and ambition while keeping the Superego’s need for balance and morality in check.

But here’s where the question gets interesting: could it be that a dominant ID, even if temporarily, is what drives people to take bold steps? To create something out of nothing? To build a vision that others can’t see?

The Risk and Reward of a Stronger ID

Think about it—most of the entrepreneurs we admire, the ones who’ve built empires, had to take a leap of faith at some point. A leap that required ignoring the risk of failure, public embarrassment, and self-doubt. These aren’t characteristics of a Superego-driven mindset. They are the traits of someone whose ID said, “Go for it,” and whose Ego negotiated just enough to make it happen.

Of course, exceptions exist. There are business leaders who are meticulously calculated, who plan every move with precision, guided by their Ego or even their Superego. But they often stand out as anomalies. The general rule of thumb seems to be that the ID, when channeled wisely, can be a powerful force in the business world.

The Real Takeaway

Does this mean we all need to nurture a stronger ID to succeed? Not exactly. But it does suggest that if you want to make something happen for yourself—whether it’s starting a business, pitching an idea, or simply taking a risk—you might need to quiet the Superego and let the ID take the reins for a moment. You’ll need the Ego to balance things out, of course, but a little ID dominance might be what helps you overcome the fear of failure and societal judgment.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being completely ID-driven or letting one part of your psyche dominate the rest. It’s about balance. About knowing when to listen to each voice in your head—the impulsive ID, the cautious Superego, and the practical Ego—and deciding which one should lead in the moment.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating on a bold idea or second-guessing a risky decision, ask yourself: Is this my Superego talking, holding me back? And what would happen if I let my ID lead, just this once?

The answer might surprise you—and it might just be the first step toward something extraordinary.