3 Reasons to Prioritize Healing from Codependency in Business

Photo by Jopwell

By Eliana Ambrose
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Codependency is a behavioral pattern characterized by an excessive reliance on others for approval and a sense of identity. It often involves putting others' needs before one's own, difficulty setting boundaries, and a tendency to enable or control others. While commonly associated with personal relationships, codependency can significantly impact professional life, especially for entrepreneurs. Here are three compelling reasons why addressing codependency should be a priority from a business perspective:

   1. Self-Esteem Issues
Codependency often manifests in distorted self-esteem, either as feelings of inferiority or an inflated sense of superiority. Both extremes can severely damage professional relationships. Entrepreneurs struggling with these issues may find it challenging to receive feedback constructively or communicate effectively with team members, business partners, and clients. This inability to engage in healthy professional interactions can hinder financial growth and damage crucial business relationships.

    2. Lack of Functional (Healthy) Boundaries
Boundaries are crucial in any relationship, particularly in business. Codependents often struggle with establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries, which can lead to various problematic behaviors. These may include excessive people-pleasing, building emotional walls, or inconsistently respecting others' boundaries. Such behaviors can directly impact business operations. For instance, a tendency to people-please might result in offering unnecessary discounts to demanding clients, potentially leading to significant financial losses and increased stress over expenses.

    3. Lack of Self-Awareness
​Self-awareness is a vital trait for any business leader. However, individuals with codependency often struggle to recognize their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This lack of self-awareness can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty in honest communication, lack of accountability, and increased risk of burnout. These issues can severely impact both professional relationships and mental health, potentially leading to detrimental effects on business operations and personal well-being.

Healing from Codependency
Recognizing the need to address codependency is the first step towards improvement. Here are some steps to begin the healing process:

1. Acknowledge the issue: Recognize that you're dealing with codependency.
2. Understand its origins: Study the roots of your codependent behaviors. An excellent resource for this is "Facing Codependence" by Pia Mellody, which offers in-depth insights into symptoms, recovery processes, and personal experiences with codependency.
3. Seek support: Join a support group such as CoDA.org, a 12-step recovery program for codependents.
4. Be patient with the process: Remember that progress isn't linear. The goal is to gradually improve functionality rather than achieve perfection.

By addressing codependency, entrepreneurs can improve their professional relationships, set healthier boundaries, and develop greater self-awareness. These improvements can lead to more effective leadership, better business decisions, and ultimately, greater success in both personal and professional spheres.