The Psychology of Exits

This white-paper is designed to provide actionable insights about the psychological challenges faced by owners when confronted with the concept of their own business transition and exit. Advisors have told us for years that owners generally know “exit planning” is important, but studies have found that more than 2/3’s of all low to mid market business owners don’t take the necessary action.

Drawing on our own PhD research and insights from a vast body of existing psychological research, this paper addresses this “Knowing-Doing Gap” by describing:

  • How entrepreneurial strengths required to build the business can become profound weaknesses at the point of exit and transition

  • How 5 key behaviors can be measured and provide a profile with insights into their inclination for exiting successfully

  • How advisors can increase their own ability to move owner clients to exit action.