In both personal and professional spheres, we often encounter the proverbial “elephant in the room” – the glaringly obvious issues that no one dares to address. These unspoken problems can cast long shadows over progress, stifling innovation and growth.

However, there is another kind of “elephant”. it others the elephant represents deeper truths about people, situations and organizations that are easily missed when we focus only on the visible. For entrepreneurs and business leaders, recognizing and addressing this hidden elephant is critical to successfully building and resilient organizations.

Related: How your leadership style can hinder innovation and problem solving in your company

Surface vs. Depths

The concept of an “elephant in the room” usually refers to something obvious but ignored – an issue that is too uncomfortable to discuss. In a business context, this could be a toxic work environmentfinancial instability or a flawed strategy that no one wants to deal with. These issues, if left unresolved, can lead to the downfall of a company as they fester and grow over time. But the “other elephant in the room” is different. It is not about what is visible and ignored; it is about what is invisible and overlooked.

This other elephant represents the hidden layers within each individual and organization. These are the unspoken emotions and unacknowledged experiences that shape behaviors, decisions, and outcomes. In entrepreneurship, these hidden factors are often the key to understanding why things happen the way they do—why a promising business idea fails, why a the team struggles to cooperate or why a leader makes seemingly irrational decisions. By looking beyond the surface, entrepreneurs can uncover insights that lead to more effective strategies and stronger relationships.

Eviatar Zerubavel, in his book “The elephant in the room: Silence and denial in everyday life“, explores how individuals and organizations often ignore or deny uncomfortable truths, leading to a culture of silence that can undermine effectiveness. In business, this silence about the other elephant—those unseen and unspoken truths—can prevent leaders from addressing critical issues that are essential to growth and innovation.

A lesson from elephants

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, where elephants rescued from abuse and neglect are given a sanctuary to recover and thrive. Standing next to these majestic creatures, feeding them and mud bathing with them was a transformative experience. Elephants are known for their incredible memory; they remember the kindness and cruelty they experienced. Despite their memories of past abuse, they still welcome people into their space and allow them to take care of themselves.

It was a valuable lesson in resilience and empathy—key traits that are not only vital in personal growth, but essential in business leadership. Elephants' ability to forgive and trust despite their traumatic past is a powerful reminder of the hidden stories each individual carries.

Building meaningful connections

In entrepreneurship, success is often built on relationships – whether with customers, employees, investors or partners. Meaningful links are the foundation of these relationships and they require more than a superficial understanding of the other party. Building meaningful connections requires taking the time to understand the deeper truths that drive people's decisions and behaviors.

For example, when negotiating with a potential business partner, it is easy to focus only on the terms of the agreement. However, understanding the other elephant in the room—their underlying motivations, fears, and desires—can lead to a more successful and mutually beneficial deal. Similarly, when working to solve a conflict within your teamacknowledging the unspoken emotions and experiences of those involved can lead to a more effective and lasting solution.

In the same way that elephants in the sanctuary have learned to trust and connect with people regardless of their past experiences, entrepreneurs and business leaders must learn to see beyond the surface and connect with the deeper layers of those they work with. they work.

Related: How to create meaningful connections at work

The importance of empathy in leadership

Ability to recognize and treat others the elephant in the room is a critical skill for entrepreneurs and business leaders. It requires sensitivity and the ability to see beyond the surface. Look for unspoken dynamics within your organization, such as power struggles, unaddressed grievances, and unspoken concerns.

Empathic leaders create environments where people feel seen, heard and valued. They recognize that an employee's performance is not only a reflection of their skills and knowledge, but also of their mental and emotional state. Thus, by addressing the hidden factors that affect their team members, empathic leaders can foster a more positive and productive work environment. This may include providing extra support to an employee who is going through a difficult time, or it may mean addressing underlying tensions within a team that are affecting collaboration.

The hidden elephant in organizational culture

The concept of the other elephant especially applies to organizational culture. Every company has a culture, whether it is consciously cultivated or allowed to develop on its own. On the surface, organizational culture is often defined by visible elements such as mission statements, values, and behaviors. However, the true essence of a company's culture lies beneath the surface, in the unspoken norms, beliefs, and assumptions that guide how people interact and make decisions.

For entrepreneurs building a company from the ground up, it's essential to be aware of the hidden elephant in organizational culture. This means not only to articulate clear values and expectations, but also actively shaping the underlying dynamics that influence behavior. For example, a company may publicly promote a culture of innovation, but if employees fear taking risks because of unspoken consequences, the true culture may be one of caution and conformity. By addressing these hidden dynamics, entrepreneurs can create a culture that truly reflects their vision and supports the success of their business.

Addressing the other elephant

For entrepreneurs and business leaders, recognizing this hidden elephant is essential to building resilient organizations and meaningful connections. It requires a commitment to see beyond the obvious, to understand the deeper truths that drive behavior, and to lead with empathy and compassion.

I believe that by integrating these practices—recognizing the hidden layers within our teams, fostering empathy in leadership, and addressing the unspoken elements of our organizational culture—we can create environments where people feel valued and understood.

Related: Why empathy is crucial to your success in the business world

Take a moment to reflect on the other elephants in your business or organization. What unspoken truths can affect your team's performance or your company's culture? How can you address these hidden dynamics and foster a culture of openness and empathy? By embracing this approach, you not only increase your chances of business success, but also contribute to creating a more humane, connected and resilient organization.