No field of study is as transposable as psychology. Psychology examines the systematic knowledge of the powers and functions of the soul as well as how these are recognized at a conscious and subconscious level. The field allows students to read the behavior of others, assess the situation and take proper action.

Take the fundamentals of psychology, apply some sociology, add a dash of anthropology, a hint of geography and plenty of science and you have completed your SWOT analysis and found alternative plans of action.

One of the central theories in psychology is Sigmund Freud's Id, Ego and Superego division of the mind. It is a worthy parallel to make when examining what it takes to be successful in business.

Centuries before Freud, the great Greek philosopher Plato had broken up the human soul into three parts: a) the rational part or intellect; b) the will; and finally c) the appetite or desire.

He then extended this to the greater powers within society and argued that his ideal state would be composed of: a) the philosopher kings who govern society; b) the guardians who keep order and defend the society; and c) the ordinary citizens, farmers, merchants and craftsmen who provide for the society. The philosopher kings reflect the intellect (fitting since he was one), the guardians represent the will and finally the ordinary citizens represent the appetite. This was pronounced in The Republic.

One reason why this is interesting is that it shows that in discussions, debates and problem-solving exercises, it is always easier to look at something from both a macro-level and micro-level perspective. This can apply to the human mind and society or the economy and specific firm.

It is no coincidence then that Freud's analysis also divided the mind into three parts: the Id, Ego and Superego.

The Id is the mental representation of primal needs such as the drive to satisfy hunger and sexual needs. It does not however distinguish between the internal mind and the outside environment. While it stimulates carnal drives, it fails to separate the imagery from the actual stimuli; in other words, the actualization (or in business terms: the execution).

The Ego does distinguish between the internal mind and the external reality. Without it, images and thoughts remain just that: an unrealized dream or an unsatisfied need. It makes you take the necessary action to meet your desires, dreams and aspirations. This is where actualization or execution comes into play. Those who can execute over and over again may indeed develop an ego, in the loose sense of the term.

The Superego represents one's moral behavior. It is the mental reflection of a society's rule of ethics and code of conduct. It is the Superego that balances the Id's urges. These two are balanced by the more realistic Ego.

There are several nuances in Freud's theory that entail considerable discussion. But for the sake of this parallel, the main ones are that the Id is largely primitive and in Freud's analysis, subconscious. The Ego is conscious. The Superego is part of the unconscious that is formed through an internalization of moral standards set by parents, society and other such censors.

As you can imagine, applying this to business is thorny. Freud's theory was based on newborns. Business students entering school or those graduating can also be seen as newborns in a way. Moreover, in business settings, professors and employers replace parents while the business community replaces greater society.

In laymen's terms, the Id deals with oneself, our needs, our urges and our primal desires. One could call this our own private hedonism. Certainly, if we wished to satisfy all of them, these would clash with social mores and standards.

The Ego is the world in which we live. This is where realism, rationality and logic precede our desires (Id) and our idealism (Superego).

Finally, the Superego is our sense of idealism, a utopia where any excess is reprimanded, reckless conduct is shunned and the greater good is sought.

How does this apply to business?

If you chose to enter business, it means that you share one thing: a desire to succeed.

But to succeed at what?

Some of you may wish to reap personal gains such as money and power (Id). Others may have far more altruistic reasons to pursue business: to help others, share wealth and improve life – not "as we know it" but how we subconsciously dream it to be (Superego). Between these two extremes is reality (Ego).

Applying Freud to your claim to the throne can serve as a good balancing act when the road to take is unknown.

A very large nuance comes out in this analogy. While Freud argues that the Id is subconscious, most of your desires are not. You know you want money, that person that has caught your attention or that bag of chips that the person next to you is crunching on. This has more to do with the fact that you are a young adult. However, what is interesting is that as a young adult, there is still some element of subconscious that comes up. Either you desire something (or someone) and you do not know it or you know you want something (or someone) but do not know why.

In any case, if Freud's analogy is applied here, it is largely for the need component and not the subconscious element.

More on Sigmund Freud's Id, Ego and Superego Division of Mind theory.