Ego in Enterprises: A Barrier to Innovation

Ego is another pervasive issue that afflicts companies. Often, experts are intrinsically prone to falling into its trap. As human beings, we are inclined to believe that those who have studied at the best schools, undergone specific educational paths, or worked for certain companies possess superior abilities, more substantial knowledge, and better mindsets. Perhaps this was true in the past when the world was not as globalized, and information didn't travel as freely on the internet, making it challenging to acquire extensive knowledge.

However, in our globalized world today, with a wealth of information freely available online, anyone can leverage their abilities and become an expert in a field. We need to be cognizant that technology, innovation, and ingenious ideas can emerge from anywhere and anyone, no matter where they are in the world. Even a 14-year-old could potentially possess more understanding than a scientist, engineer, or programmer with 30 years of experience.?

This is not to diminish the competence of seasoned professionals; it merely reflects that the world is moving at a faster pace, allowing younger individuals to access information more swiftly and shape their minds differently from our older generation. Therefore, we must not let personal or corporate ego blind us into thinking we know everything, or that our knowledge is superior, or that it's impossible for others, especially the young, to stumble upon new discoveries.

I have experienced this personally. I had the opportunity to work with a young 30-year-old genius who had already won international awards. Despite his achievements, he was often viewed as a youngster, and other experts in the field, often 10-20 years his senior, allowed their egos to overshadow his knowledge.

We need to find ways to mitigate this issue and shift this mindset. Today, if you want to drive innovation, win in the market, and become a leader in your sector, you cannot confine yourself within your company, your ecosystem, and your areas of expertise. Instead, you should engage with the rest of the world to accelerate your technological innovation.