While this understanding may never be complete, we can make a significant start. In working with clients, I generally start from basic templates developed over many years spent working with successful people,who, despite their unique personalities, tend share some consistent outlooks, based upon the role they play. They have legal access to the confidential financial data. They can push business and personal agendas with some considerable influence. They can make decisions based on their own criteria and, generally, not have to explain those criteria or even justify them to nattering critics or side-line quarterbacks.
Owners are deferred to by non-owners.
The bigger the business and the more wealth involved, the more this is true. They are courted by suppliers, solicited by consultants and advisors. They are cultivated by non-owner employees. They are treated with deference, if not respect, by fellow owners or partners, all of whom want to operate by consensus, not by vote, and, therefore, avoid outright conflict or disagreement. Owners are feted at Rotary meetings.