Dissecting Business Success through The Illusion of the Iceberg

The Success Iceberg diagram illustrates hidden persistence, sacrifice, and disappointment beneath the visible tip of achievement

When you see the baboon getting wet below the eyelids, it means it has been drizzling for a long time. Zimbabwean Proverb

The Iceberg Concept

The Iceberg concept is taken from the historic sinking of the Titanic ship. Some things are evidently visible, and those things that are there, yet they are not visible to the ordinary public eye.  The diagram above crystallizes the anatomy of success. There has to be painstaking effort and preparation behind the scenes, yet what the world sees often and so easily is just success and glamour. Others mistakenly end up believing that success is easy. Successful people do go through their own unique, and often lonely, desert experience, far from the madding crowds.

This article showcases the illusion of the iceberg. Off the radar, successful people have to persevere, sometimes fail, sacrifice time, resources, and almost get dejected at times. Yet the positive qualities of hard work and relentless dedication, even in the face of pain, setbacks, rejection, or disappointment guarantees them solid success.

In short, the Iceberg principle suggests that we cannot see or detect most of a situation’s data. The Titanic sank because of damage that came from below the waterline, i.e., damage that the crew could not see.

Fundamental Business Lessons for the Entrepreneur

The glamor people see when success strikes is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes lies painstaking hard work and resilience to adversity. Patience, delayed gratification, and perseverance are key ingredients. In summary, success comes through hard work, patience, and resilience of purpose. Before the glamor, there is the excruciating desert experience.

The "desert experience" is a metaphor for a period of challenge, isolation, or uncertainty. It's a time when things aren't going as planned, and growth seems stagnant. This experience is necessary for success because it builds resilience. Like a seed germinating underground, tough times prepare you for what's to come. It fosters growth. Hardships often spark innovation and self-discovery. It clarifies vision.  In the desert, you focus on survival and your true priorities. The desert experience prepares for abundance. Like a drought before rain, challenges prepare you for opportunities.

Professor Mufaro Gunduza coaches and mentors Business Intelligence at Mount Carmel Institute (Harare), Indian School of Management (New Mumbai), and UNISA. He is the SADC Investments Advisor to Dr. Farzam Kamalabadi, Founder of Future Trends Group and Special Presidential Envoy on Business and International Relations, Government of Botswana. He has written several books, including Unleashing Blue Sky Thinking, Spotting Business Opportunities, and Big Picture Thinking (Bookboon Publishers, London & Denmark). He has just assumed the Presidency of the Southern African Chamber of Commerce. He can be contacted on WhatsApp: +263774868896 Phone: +263718925350

Email: mgunduza@yahoo.co.uk

Iceberg Principle in Business Success