Ego — blessing or curse?
Ego is an enemy of leadership, a void that devours leaders from the inside. Leaders fall into it as they rise to higher powerful positions in the corporate ladder. With position, comes power and with power comes ego. Ego narrows down the field of vision of leaders, reducing decisiveness in their actions and increasing vulnerability of the team and organization to disasters.
Ego, however, is an integral part of every human being, and leaders being human, do have ego. The question is how much ego should they have?
A healthy ego improves the self-confidence of leaders and through them people derive a sense of commitment to the vision. What we don’t need in leaders is “inflated ego”. Now, when does a healthy ego crosses the threshold and becomes toxic? Can leaders escape being inflicted with inflated ego? What can leaders do to avoid falling into the void?
Big egos have small ears, as Robert Schuler rightly said. The fact is that even in the highest position in the world, you sit only on your bottom.
#1 Welcome feedback and criticism: One of the most essential things to let go of ego is to start seeking active feedback and criticism from your team on your decisions. By that way leaders will be able to deflate the ego balloon.
#2 Seek to build diversity in your team: Another thing about leaders with inflated ego is that they do not tend to have people in their team who offer a different perspective to theirs. In short, such leaders tend to have people who walk their line. The moment diversity is brought in, things will change.
#3 Stop micro-managing: By not getting into smaller minute details, leaders tend to give their team freedom to think and bring individuality in work. By stopping to do everything (which most of the leaders By the way think as a help!), leaders will build responsibility and trust in their team and keep their own ego in check.
#4 Build mindfulness: Mindfulness is not meditation. It is a way by which you become alert, awake without actually making a judgement. By practicing mindfulness, leaders can gain clarity of thought, regulate emotions and reduce stress levels. Additionally, being mindful can assist ethical behaviours as it is when we are not mindful that our thoughts become polluted with worries and tactics, and we become pejorative.
Mindfulness takes time and practice. However, it is worth it because standing in judgement of others, seeing them as flawed, less than, inferior, or not as important, is dangerous territory for any leader.
The most precious gift that we cam offer to anyone is attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Leaders have to lead a healthy and happy life in order to inspire their team to do greater good to the world. Letting go of ego is the most important thing to be done in this journey.
