Today I encountered two instances of ego getting in the way good decisions – one personal and one professional.
For the personal project, I designed a house, engaging a well known and reputable architect. We did all the right things, consultations with the city, discussions with neighbours, thoughtful design. When we submitted to the city, despite support from city staff, neighbours and current planners, one voice in the room (the city’s ex-planner who’s outsized ego and outdated point of view is well known) – chose to oppose it, swaying the group to deny the application. I appealed. This was 4 months ago. Today was the appeal hearing. Typically taking days or weeks with witnesses, expensive lawyers and experts, the tribunal chair took 39 minutes to declare in favour of the project.
One ego caused hours of wasted effort and months of wasted time.
At work, a similar story emerged. Strong personality + ego + impatience + stress = an explosive combination. Cultures build in an environment of openness, not when there are directives and an unwillingness to question. Respectful opposition is seen as undermining when it should be additive. Building a high performing organization is not a straight line but iterates and pivots over time. Ego gets in the way by driving towards the bullet answer. The danger with ego at work is that there are too many other factors – concern for financial security, career and reputation impact.
Ego can throw meaningful work and culture into disarray.
From my experience, some hallmark signs of ego include:
- Unable to let go of a firm belief even when faced with clear evidence to the contrary
- The inability to see issues from different perspectives
- A lack of listening and a focus on talking “at you”
- In the extreme – delusional reality and distorted memory
- The clear need to be right (even when no one else cares)
- …
What are signs you’ve seen?
The Objective Co 