A CFO once pointed out to me that ego stops people from asking for help. He said, "Ego stops employees from asking for input, ideas, or recommendations because they feel it shows weakness."
He noted that what's even more alarming is that managers who are victims of their own egos intentionally recruit people who are less talented than they. Out of fear, they become victims of their egos and thoughts -- an epidemic that becomes contagious and leads to business failure.
By comparison, top leaders always hire people better than they. And what's so amazing about leaders is they are proud to espouse and practice that trait.
What can you do?
Understand that ego in any organization is a curse.
Keep in mind that like everything else in life, tools and thoughts become outdated. . . and successful business leaders know this, embrace it, and use it to their advantage.
That's why you always want to set ego aside and look for cutting edge thinking that gives you and your company a competitive edge.
John R. Daley and Gil Effron
* Tom Morris is a business speaker and chairman of Morris Institute for Human Values
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