How does ego affect leadership ability? Is it negative or positive? The answers to the questions depend on how you define the word ego. Here are a few from different resources.
EGO
- the conscious mind
- an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
- your consciousness of your own identity
- a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance
I think most people zero in on definition number two above rather than the others. That is interesting, since the other definitions are more flattering. I personally gravitate toward number four and think that ego is an important part of leadership.
The definition of leadership is the most hotly debated topic on the web today. Some discussion threads run to hundreds of comments and I’m not here to end the discussion, just further it.
How effective is a leader coming from a background of self-doubt and low-esteem?
Don’t confuse meekness with doubt or self-esteem issues, either. Sometimes the quietest, are the strongest and make great leaders. Look at examples of Jesus or Gandhi, as they continue to be looked upon as great leaders, yet neither showed an inflated pride or superiority to others. There was a firmness to their leadership, but without noise.
Then there are leaders like General George Patton, that rant and rage against all within seeing distance, yet are still effective leaders. They bully their subordinates and rule by fear rather than inspiration.
From the above examples, there may be room for both types, but I think military leadership is different in nature than business leadership. The military is by definition, dictatorial and probably needs that. In business, people can take offense to your attitude and quit on the spot and leave you short handed.
What’s your take on Egos and Leadership? Comments are open!
[tags]leadership[/tags]
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Ken Flowers (3 comments.) // Sep 29, 2006 at 6:30 pm
This is a topic I’ve done some thinking about. For a brief view look at the second point of my posting Three Quick Ideas.
Ego is great when it drives a leader toward success, but it is a horror when the leader uses his team to feed his ego. This leader can loose sight of the team’s goals and priorities. Although there is nothing quite like team success to puff me up as a leader.
2 Larry Hendrick // Sep 29, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Ken, I agree to a point. But can someone who is ‘egoless’ develop into a good leader? Doesn’t it require a certain degree of self confidence and ‘command’ (or presence) to be effective? Can someone who believes he’s not a leader, be a leader? This could even go back to your article on PMA from a few weeks ago. I’m just trying to explore all the possibilities, too. It’s clear, more thought is needed.
Thanks for the input and please … continue.
3 Ken Flowers (3 comments.) // Sep 29, 2006 at 8:07 pm
I think most leaders, including me, have a tremendous ego. It is what drives us, and gives us the audacious confidence that we can do anything. That is a great thing. To be effective, though, we need to carefully maintain our focus on our team’s success rather than our personal success. It is too easy for us to start working for our own good, forgetting the team success.
I think that focus on self-fulfillment distracts from the team’s goal and reduces the chances of success, thereby reducing the ability to feed the ego. So, I coach people to focus on team success and the ego-gratification will come naturally, but if they focus on the ego-gratification, it will never come. I see it all the time.
4 Dave J. (64 comments.) // Sep 29, 2006 at 8:13 pm
One of the things I learned about leadership that stuck was that a great leader is aware of, and is honest about, themselves and their abilities. Know your strengths, know your limitations, then exploit that knowledge.
That lines up with ego definition #3 in your list.
And to what Ken’s post had to say, I think by being honest about yourself, your genuineness develops followership.
5 Larry Hendrick // Sep 29, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Now that’s good stuff from both of you.
fyi … this thought started with someone else’s post that egos and leadership didn’t mix. I have a problem with that and like you Ken, feel that the ego is the driving force behind leaders, but good leaders know how to focus and control it for the good of the company (team).
And Dave, you hit a key … GREAT leaders are aware, honest, and realize they are accountable. Now maybe an article on the differences with leader, good leader, and great leader. That might be interesting to think about.
Thanks for all the input! This is great!
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