Ego Stumble and Getting Out of Your Own Way
Have you ever had an ego stumble? One of those cases where you let your emotions guide your choices and it didn’t end well?
Emotion is critical in the workplace. Passion is an emotion. So is the excitement of launching a new marketing campaign, closing the sale, or achieving the goal. Emotion is important, yet it can also go wrong.
One of the biggest problems in the workplace with harassment claims is that ego got in the way.
A problem between two peers and you may find that ego played a role.
Supervisor to direct report, or the opposite, direct report to supervisor, and ego’s may be involved.
Leading by Inspiring
Leading today in a social environment that is much less about authority and much more about inspiration can be challenging. Inspiration means emotion and emotions are sometimes difficult to navigate.
When you make a choice about attending the meeting, participating in the meeting, or workplace respect you can bet that ego is involved.
Ego may feel like the right choice. Consider supervisor to direct report interactions. The supervisor, who clearly has the authority should lead, right?
Most would quickly say, “Yes.” However, the way we lead today may look a little different. Leading should be more pull and less push.
Navigating social climates and workplace culture has never been more challenging. We sometimes label this experience, workplace politics.
Yes, workplace politics, many people don’t like that game.
Ego Stumble
Blowing off the meeting may be about ego. The same is true for who gets credit for the project, the promotion, or even who gets the pay raise.
Sometimes you have to get out of your own way.
Making waves with the new hire, or the old regime, may feel satisfying for the moment. Yet, leading is going to require buy-in and buy-in is created by shared experiences.
If what you are sharing is mismanaged conflict there will be fewer opportunities for your future.
Don’t get in your own way.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
