I have studied literature in leadership and spirituality
and have found a common thread. The common thread is this:
if you want to be successful and fulfilled you need to keep
your ego in check.
The ego is that part of us that is always asking: “But what
about me?” or saying “Look at me!” The lesson I’ve found in
these fields of study and in my own life is that when we
focus on our ego needs we can, at best, create a temporary
success. Often our ego gets in the way, creating pain and
suffering. If we want to build a good life, a good company,
or a good relationship, we need to take the focus off our
individual need to win, to be right, or to receive the
glory.
Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, did extensive
research to find companies that achieved greatness. He
found companies that had been mediocre for years and then
became great companies, creating a sustainable success.
These companies outperformed their competitors several
times over. Collins found that all of the leaders of these
great companies demonstrate “a paradoxical blend of
personal humility and professional will. They are somewhat
self-effacing individuals who deflect adulation, yet who
have an almost stoic resolve to do absolutely whatever it
takes to make the company great, channeling their ego needs
away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a
great company.”
These leaders, according to Collins, look in the mirror,
directing their attention to themselves when problems
arise. They take full responsibility. When successes occur
they look out their window, directing praise and credit to
those who serve with them. These leaders work in concert
with other leaders to cocreate a great organization.
(References to Jim Collin’s work found in the article, “The
Misguided Mix-Up of Celebrity and Leadership” found at
www.jimcollins.com in the articles section)
In 1978, in Superbowl XXII, the highly touted Denver
Broncos football team were beaten by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys played with precision and focus, executing
plays that were impossible to defend. After the game, one
of the Broncos said: “Dallas beat us because we were
focused on winning, and they were focused on football.” The
ego wants to win, but a focus on winning has us forgetting
what it takes to get there. True winning comes from playing
the game well and playing it as a team.
Today we have many celebrity CEO’s, authors, actors,
athletes, politicians, and TV personalities. Fame, rather
than being a result of doing something well, is often an
end in itself. There is nothing wrong with fame. The
question is, if you are seen as a leader, as someone to be
admired, what lasting value are you creating? Would others
do well to follow the example you set? Does your example
inspire others to express their own greatness?
A recent book, Made to Stick (Heath and Heath), mentions
studies that have shown that people who listen to a
charismatic speaker often can’t remember anything the
speaker said. Speakers who were memorable, that is, their
message stuck, were able to connect with their audience
through anecdotes and well structured messages.
It is the ego in us that has us placing premium value on
egocentric personalities to lead us and be our models. Data
and experience suggest that we might better focus on doing
what we do well. It suggests that we might focus our
attention on building up others, mentoring, and helping
them. It suggests that the playing field may be more level
than we thought, that anyone can build success if they can
step outside of their ego and do something well. Charisma
and attractiveness are as much liabilities as they are
assets.
Humility, channeling one’s energy in to something bigger
than the self, cocreation, clear focus, and connectedness
to others–these are all traits that fall into the realm of
spirituality. These traits don’t seem to fit with today’s
idea of great leadership–the swash buckling, egotistical,
celebrity who swoops in and saves the day, the superstar
athlete, or the charistmatic speaker. Yet, we see that the
true winners of today, the highly successful leaders,
possess these traits.
If you are a leader, focus on leading well. Don’t make the
organization dependent on the force of your personality,
but create systems and structure that promote success and
well-being. When we shift our focus from looking good and
self glorification to serving well, and to doing the best
possible work, we create organizations, products, and
services that are both great and sustainable. You probably
aren’t going to get rid of your ego anytime soon, but you
will need to transcend it often if you want to be truly
successful in what you do.
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William Frank Diedrich is a speaker, executive coach, and
the author of three books including Beyond Blaming:
Unleashing Power and Passion in People and Organizations.
William offers an online leadership class, The Leaders’
Edge, that is both inexpensive and effective. This ten week
class helps leaders to transcend ego issues and become
truly great at what they do. Register at
http://noblaming.com
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