The Ego-Free Zone: The Clarion Call to Leadership

Warning: Proceed with caution. The next activity may induce negative memories, frustration, or even a strong desire to yell at a screen.

It's pop quiz time: Who have you seen in action displaying any of the following traits?

- Makes decisions without input or consideration for others

- Controls every aspect of their team's work, stifling creativity and innovation

- Shifts blame to others when things go wrong

- Disregards established boundaries, protocols, or rules to suit their own needs

Got a face in mind? (Sorry, or not sorry, if it's your current boss)

We have all encountered leaders or people who are ego-driven. I myself had a chance encounter that day. I was crossing the road to One Holland Village from the open-air car park. Because it was a hot afternoon and there was no traffic, I decided to cross the road junction right away. But just as I did, I heard a young boy, who looked about 5 or 6 years old, ask his mother, "Why didn't he wait for the green man to flash?" I was taken aback, feeling a surge of embarrassment and realization. I didn't hear the mother's response, nor could I bear to hear it. In that moment, I felt called out. This experience caused me to reflect on how sometimes, as leaders, we think we can bend the rules or be above the rules.

Bob Davids, a seasoned entrepreneur and designer, in his TED talk "The Rarest Commodity is Leadership Without Ego," described how true leadership is not about personal gain or recognition but about serving others and, in the process, giving power to the leaders to serve. Collectively, this leads to a more positive, productive, and people-focused work environment and ultimately makes a meaningful impact. Leadership is a gift, not a right, and it's essential to approach it with humility. The world needs more leaders who can lead without ego, putting the needs of their people first and deflecting power back to them.

Bob Davids shared a powerful story from his experience leading a company in China, where he spent 13 years building a team from a handful of people to 8,000. One rainy afternoon, while inspecting a construction site in Guangzhou, he noticed workers installing a sewer pipe incorrectly. Despite not speaking Chinese, Davids took action by jumping into the trench, using a rock to demonstrate the correct angle, and silently guiding the workers to make the necessary adjustments. This humble, hands-on approach resonated deeply with the workers, and the incident became a viral symbol within the company of Davids' willingness to "jump in the trenches" with his team. By leading through action rather than words, Davids earned the respect and trust of his team, demonstrating the power of leadership without ego.

As we reflect on our own leadership journeys, let us remember that leaders, no matter how good an intention we start off with, are susceptible to this ego-play. Being aware of this allows us to correct our course (when crossing the road back to the car park, I made sure I waited for the green man to light up) when we self-reflect and solicit feedback from those around us. Leaders set the tone, and people are always watching us. We do not always need to be in the trenches, but our team members need to know that we have the right posture to be in the trenches if the situation calls for it. As General George Patton once said, "I will not ask you to do anything that I would not do myself." In leading by example, with humility and a willingness to serve, we can create a work environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.