Managing Egos at Work and Achieving Better Results

Egos are an inevitable part of human nature and therefore unavoidable in the workplace. The important thing is not to let them get in the way of productivity.

When ego starts to take over our lives and we start to prioritize it over our work, we are bound to fail.

The ego is a normal part of human nature. It is common for people to overestimate themselves and their abilities and believe they are better than others, as well as value their opinions above all else. Oftentimes, when our ego starts to spiral out of control, it will have major repercussions on those around us. We are bound to fail when we allow our ego to control us and we start prioritizing it over our professionalism.

A person's ego can cause them to make bad decisions because they believe they know better than anyone else. As they don't want to be wrong, they don't consider other people's perspectives and take decisions without considering all factors.

The ego and how it Impacts your workplace experience

Without you being aware, your ego might be impacting the way you interact with your colleagues in your workplace. It is essential to recognize how ego is affecting your communication and collaboration and how it might cause workplace conflicts.?

So, as a first step to managing your ego, let us understand its meaning.??

We can define ego as the part of human nature that includes emotions such as personal identity and self-worth. For example, a highly educated person might think that he is better than another because they are less educated. Such beliefs lead to superiority or inferiority complexes and make it tough for people to interact and collaborate.?

As any successful project depends primarily on teamwork, the ego of team members can be heavily detrimental to its success. When any employee forces opinions on others it can cause friction and have a negative impact. Such actions might delay projects causing huge losses to the organization. Ego can also indirectly impact performance when employees compare themselves with others and feel that they are not being recognized enough. This might reduce their interest in the job and thereby diminish productivity.

How can you tame your ego in the workplace?

When egos crop up at work it disrupts many aspects of work and also diminishes productivity. Here are a few important steps to avoid ego issues at work:?

- Think empathetically?

Empathetic nature allows you to think from others’ standpoint and also consider their feelings before you make any decision. It encourages you to be mindful of your words and actions.? Before you talk or act on something, pause for a moment and consider the impact on others. This will ensure that your words and actions are in tune with the team and do not hurt other's sentiments unintentionally.?

- Identify the nature of your ego and its root cause?

Your ego might be for several reasons and the best way to address it is by identifying the cause. For example, you might be having an ego because you constantly compare your actions with others. The cause for this could be your nature of over-valuing your achievements or giving unnecessary importance to what other people might think of you.?

- Stop insisting that you are always right.

Many people believe that their viewpoints are always right and do not give space for others’ opinions. This makes transparent and productive discussions difficult and also damages relationships. We have to practice empathy, learn to accommodate others’ perspectives, and also have the humility to accept the possibility of being wrong.??

- Recognize your own limitations and ask for help when needed

Ego often prevents people from seeking help when they are in need. Accepting your limitations and learning from others are ideal ways to break free of the ego trap. This will also foster a culture of learning at work.?

Conclusion

While at work, professionals must always remember to keep their egos in control. If left unchecked, this one-dimensional character trait can result in several problems and often lead projects astray. Egos are a definite obstacle to our success in both personal and professional lives and a prime source of conflict with all as our ego may not allow us to realize that we are hurting others.?

The key to taming your ego is to cultivate self-awareness and humility. When you find yourself in a situation where you are taking an egoistic stand, have the patience and self-awareness to reflect on the issue from the other person’s perspective and appreciate the diversity of opinions.