Ego is an integral part of human psychology, serving as our sense of self-worth and identity. It’s our conscious mind and the part of us we generally consider to be our “self.” However, excessive self-importance can hinder objective judgment and collaboration, especially in the workplace.
While it can be natural for leaders to feel pride in their perspective, the most transformative ideas can emerge when we welcome insights from every corner of our team – from the seasoned executive to the newest recruit. The challenge can be learning to distinguish between beneficial self-confidence and detrimental ego-driven decisions and letting go when needed.
Here are six techniques that can help you learn to let go of your ego in the workplace.
1. Focus on the Broader Team
Whether you’re in a leadership position or a supportive role, every team member can bring unique insights that can drive innovation and improvement. Instead of highlighting personal achievements, leaders can consider the broader impact of team contributions – not just the impact of individuals you work closely with.
For example, front-line team members you may not be in regular contact with can have first-hand insights into customer needs. These insights may precede innovative solutions, but they need to be heard and nurtured first. By valuing and reflecting on contributions from every team member, you can promote an environment where everyone feels their input is vital to the company’s success.
2. Recognize Different Sources of Creativity, Wisdom, and Brilliance
Your journey through the professional realm has likely equipped you with specific skills and knowledge. It can be natural to take pride in the expertise you’ve cultivated, whether it’s business acumen, public speaking prowess, or leadership techniques. But brilliance and innovation aren’t limited to a single path.
For example, the most articulate speaker might not always have the best ideas. The less obvious voices – whether they’re more reserved, quirky, or humorous – can hold valuable insights and solutions. By letting go of rigid expectations and inclusively welcoming a diverse range of talents and perspectives, you might open doors to richer, more innovative outcomes.
"True brilliance can lie in recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge, letting go of the ego, and seeking and valuing input from others."
3. Acknowledge Anyone Can Contribute
Letting go of your ego can involve setting aside preconceptions about others’ capabilities. For example, front-line employees can have ideas that improve workflow, make your company more responsive to customer demands, and reduce operating costs. Similarly, some customer-facing team members may have nurtured long-term relationships that can impact profitability. A new perspective, regardless of how rooted it is in tradition or innovation, can lead to game-changing ideas.
4. Embrace New Experiences and Ideas Yourself
If you’re truly interested in learning how to tone down your ego, you can try becoming a newbie at something. Resolving to master a new skill or gain expertise in a new area can help you open your mind. Finding someone who knows more about a subject to teach or mentor you can be a rewarding experience.
As you immerse yourself in these new experiences and ideas, you can gain respect for those in other fields, specifically those with proficiency in an exclusive niche. In the process, patience for others – particularly those still learning in your area of expertise – may also grow.
5. Solicit Useful Feedback
When receiving feedback, such as after a presentation or project, you can avoid the compulsion to interrupt and instead listen and learn. By listening patiently to feedback – without your ego getting in the way – you may gain a deeper understanding of how you, your team, and your ideas are perceived. To truly benefit, you can honestly reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. This introspection can put your ego aside, allowing you to get a big picture view of where you can improve. In turn, you may be able to better serve the needs of your organization and customers.
6. Embrace Diverse Communication Styles
Checking for common understanding of topics, even if you disagree, can help you let go of your ego. You can observe the varied ways people convey ideas. Understand that some may use subtle means of making a point, prompting further inquiry and reflection. Others may be more direct, making their intentions clear. You can learn to value all styles of respectful communication, regardless of whether or not it’s the way you prefer. Collaboration can uncover richer possibilities and greater opportunities – ones that may have never occurred to you in solitude or with a limited circle of opinions.
The Takeaway
True brilliance can lie in recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge, letting go of the ego, and seeking and valuing input from others. This can allow you to abandon the pursuit of approval, attention, appreciation, and control and channel your energy toward unlocking the highest potential in yourself and your team. You can encourage not only yourself but also your senior leaders to change their mindset. By doing so, you may pave the way for more innovative solutions and greater opportunities for success.
A version of this article was originally published on December 11, 2017
Photo: Getty Images
