Lose the Ego

Harvey Mackay said, “Ego stops you from getting things done and getting people to work with you. That’s why I firmly believe that ego and success are not compatible.” The message here: If you truly want to be successful, lose the ego.

Last week I discussed a prior firm I worked for that achieved tremendous success and then fell on difficult times. When I look at the cause of their downfall, I’m convinced that it had a lot to with the tremendous egos of those at the top of the organization. That arrogance caused animosity and created powerful enemies both in and out of the organization. Once these enemies found a crack in the armor, they were relentless.

People with big egos generally think they are smarter than anyone else. If you know more than anyone else (or think you do), you tend not to listen to others because after all, you know better. You also tend to surround yourself with people that stroke that ego and tell you what you want to hear. In business, if you don’t listen to your customers and employees, your success will inevitably be short-lived.

I now work with a group of incredibly successful people that have not allowed their egos to become inflated. The amazing thing is that they never rest on their laurels. They are always looking at the business, asking for input, and striving to improve. They have created a culture of mutual respect. Even the most junior people in the organization have a voice. Employee turnover is incredibly low. Once people come, they rarely leave.

I believe the mark of a truly great organization is one that continues to change even when they are at the top of their game. We must all continue to reinvent ourselves, evolve, and grow. When you allow your ego to take over, you are destined to get caught up in your own self-importance and stop listening to those around you. The suggestion: lose the ego, empower those around you, and listen to what they have to say.

Send me a response and let me know your thoughts.