09/05/2024

Five Tips for Eliminating Big Egos at Work

Here’s how to cultivate a balanced ego at work and build a more resilient team

Sigmund Freud once wrote, "The ego is not master in its own house." He argued that the ego, which controls your thoughts and behaviors, is influenced by the id (your most basic impulses) and the superego, which consists of the rules and norms of society. Having a balanced ego is key to personal well-being. Similarly, having and leading with a balanced ego is key to professional and team success.

Leaders with inflated egos can cause irreparable harm to workers and companies. Less willing to entertain contradictory ideas, they stifle innovation and make poorer-quality decisions. Because their egos crave positive attention, they’re susceptible to manipulation. What’s worse, the traits of egocentric leaders often trickle down through an organization, potentially undermining its very fabric. That’s why it’s key for leaders to practice leaving their egos at the door. 

Here are five strategies for releasing your sense of self-importance and leading with less ego.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.