As entrepreneurs, we’re often working alone. Our infrequent contact with clients can sometimes feel jarring as our interactive social skills can get a bit rusty without daily, constant human contact.
That contact may include the occasional negative interaction, which is a part of life! But as an entrepreneur—the head of your company—you need to keep your ego in check to maintain healthy interactions with your clients.
In the book Ego Free Leadership: Ending the Unconscious Habits that Hijack Your Business, co-authors Brandon Black and Shayne Hughes recall their time working together in an increasingly difficult business environment filled with unproductive ego habits that were undermining collaboration and performance.
In their work together, Encore CEO Black hires Hughes and his team to help completely reshape Encore’s toxic culture. These are lessons every business leader can learn from.
How Does This Apply to Your Business Success?
The authors explain that humans have a significant preoccupation with self-worth, causing us to react to situations with less-than-ideal behaviors. These behaviors are automatic, destructive, and predictable.
It’s natural to focus on the outcomes we want to achieve and not how we get there. As entrepreneurs, our client relationships are one pivotal element of our business. Each interaction provides the opportunity and the need to act as leaders.
But ego is the enemy of good leadership!
We are all vulnerable to reactive behaviors in both personal and professional settings, even if we’re not often working alongside colleagues in an office environment.
In their compelling and prescriptive book, Black and Hughes offer actionable tips for swapping default reactions for intentional responses. They show how learning the importance of vulnerability and empathy and eliminating the damaging habit of always being right makes our communication more constructive and productive.
Every entrepreneur will gain a better understanding of the importance of reigning in an executive ego and being the best leader you can from this important book.
Your Turn!
What are your tips for ensuring ego doesn’t get in the way of your success? If you’ve read the book, what do you think?
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