Introduction
There is no disputing that Bill Gates is one of America's most accomplished entrepreneurs. His company, Microsoft, continues to both revolutionize and dominate the computer industry. Like a star athlete, Bill Gates is one of the largest business celebrities known. What is it that possessed this one man to pioneer a business empire, and establish himself as one of the world's wealthiest individuals? By first understanding the personal development and background and then applying Freudian and Humanistic Psychological perspectives to Bill Gates, we are able to identify some of the key elements that explain why he is able to make achievements in the business world that most cannot. It is this type of psychological analysis that may unlock psychology's truest potential, for our society and maybe even for our children.
Background
"Born on October 28, 1955, Gates and his two sisters grew up in Seattle. Their father, William H. Gates II, is a Seattle attorney.
Historic Microsoft photo of Paul Allen (left) and ...
Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum ,2007.
English: The MITS Altair 8800 computer was the fir...Their late mother, Mary Gates, was a schoolteacher, University of Washington regent, and chairwoman of United Way International" (Microsoft Corporation, 2002). He was born into a family with a rich history in business, politics, and community service. His great-grandfather had been a state legislator and mayor, his grandfather was the vice president of a national bank, and his father was a prominent lawyer (Wallace, 1993, p. 8-9).
"Early on in life, it was apparent that Bill Gates inherited the ambition, intelligence, and competitive spirit that had helped his progenitors rise to the top in their chosen professions. In elementary school he quickly surpassed all of his peer's abilities in nearly all subjects, especially math and science. His parents recognized his intelligence and decided to enroll him in Lakeside Prep School, a private school known for its intense academic environment. This decision had...