The CEO's choice… Is it egoism or altruism?

By Park Soonam

The CEO's choice… Is it egoism or altruism?

On the lifeline of management, there lies a choice that determines the life or death of a CEO. It is the choice between egoism and altruism. In theory, it sounds simple: To dedicate oneself to management while balancing self-interest and concern for others. However, the virtue of moderation— Or what we often call “flexibility” or “leeway”— Does not apply at the critical threshold of a CEO's management decisions. Everything else—corporate identity, ideology, business models, pipelines—are secondary. The real trigger that exposes the light or darkness of a CEO’s leadership Is the surrender before the concept of egoism or altruism.

As imperfect beings, humans constantly need something to fill their empty cups. Whether it’s religion or ideology, we live enslaved by those beliefs. CEOs are no exception. Management, too, cannot be sustained by imperfect human control alone. That’s why management philosophies are needed, and why the autobiographies of great CEOs sell like hotcakes. At the core of those philosophies is this trigger: The “choice” between the road of egoism and that of altruism.

So, what is egoism? The dictionary defines it as “seeking only one’s own interests.” Of course, no CEO is 100% selfish. Like well-buttered bread, most successful CEOs elegantly phrase their philosophies in a 60:40 ratio or a “me first, employees later” logic. But the essence is not that simple. An important truth is: there is no such thing as a perfect 50:50 golden ratio.

As the Buddha said, human beings are made up of the conflict and harmony between the “true self” and the “ego.” Depending on which side one leans toward, One can become a conscientious person—or a criminal lacking conscience. Sometimes, like Siddhartha, one can attain Nirvana with 100% true self. But for the average person, the difference between 50.0000000000000001% and 49.999999999999999999% may tilt the choice toward egoism or altruism.

The same applies to a CEO's management.

Who is the management for? What is the purpose of management? Who ultimately benefits from the means of management?

These questions are not philosophical. They are profoundly practical questions tied to the livelihood of workers. This may sound overly academic or pretentious, But allow this flowery language so that intelligent CEOs won’t take offense— Let me ask one key question: The sacrifice of the few for the many is just a basic principle—like set theory in math textbooks. Naturally, the sacrifice of the few is a rite of passage for a great CEO.

The problem is: What is your “many”?

For example, a company may need restructuring to survive, And this may require mercilessly cutting breadwinners with families to support.

But for what? To survive? For sustainability and prosperity? Then what is that sustainability and prosperity for? Is it just a tool to increase the worthless wealth of the company’s owners? Is it to ensure the survival of an essential industry for the national economy? Is it a form of social donation, like a social enterprise?

If you are a CEO, you need a clear definition of these concepts. Put simply—what are you managing for? Forget the metaphysical fluff of “ego or altruism.” What are you managing for? And is that purpose closer to being egoistic or altruistic?

Now, the only thing left is your honest answer. To exaggerate a bit further— Between the successful con artist and the failed entrepreneurial spirit— Which are you? As you know, capitalism does not account for the qualitative differences between them. Therefore, Within the mechanism of capitalism, a successful con artist can be praised as a “mission accomplisher.” But capitalism itself is merely a construct created by human synapses.

If you are human, shouldn’t you act humanely? And what best shows humanity is the choice of altruism at the crossroads with egoism. Now the answer is even clearer. Will you live as an “avatar” who successfully completes a mission in the capitalist system? Or will you walk the “narrow path” that Jesus defined as true humanity?

This is the absolute question that will divide the light and dark of your business. Whether your business survives or overturns the world— Just remember: Was your choice the “narrow path”? Or were you the “successful quest-completer” of capitalism?

The answer lies within you.