There is much to be said about Gareth Southgate’s leadership of the England football team, and having a big ego isn’t part of it. We explore the role ego plays in leadership and why its important to manage it, to achieve business success.
Removing The Ego From Leadership
Good leadership is a key element of sports, football being a prime example. Following on from Gareth Southgate’s announcement that he is stepping down from managing the England football team, there is much to be said about his leadership and the impact he has had on his team in this area.
One noticeable characteristic of his leadership was his ability to build a sustainable growth strategy with his team, that stayed away from sacrificing core values and twisting to individuals in order to help the team optimise their potential.
This management of individual egos (his own and his players) is a facet of a good leader, and one which many upcoming business leaders should look to aspire to.
Understanding and managing ego in leadership is crucial for fostering a productive and harmonious work environment. Throughout this piece we explore the concept of ego, how it affects leadership, and why it can be the enemy of leadership success. We’ll also highlight strategies for how you can manage it effectively.
What is Ego?
Ego in the context of leadership and team management, refers to an individual’s sense of self-importance and self-esteem. It is the part of a person’s identity that feels the need for recognition, power, and validation.
A healthy level of this is necessary for leadership and getting things done in the workplace. It’s also healthy when used to empower your team members, to help instill a sense of self confidence.
However, an inflated ego can lead to arrogance, defensiveness, and a disconnect from reality and cause difficulties when trying to achieve strategic goals or get your team to work collaboratively and effectively.
How Can Ego Impact My Leadership?
If not managed effectively, ego can have a profound impact on leadership, often in negative ways – as one of the many challenges when being a leader. In the example of football, prioritising individual egos within the England national squad were often seen as reasons why England were unable to leverage their amazing talent and skillset.
Here are some common challenges that ego within you and your team can introduce:
- Poor Decision Making: Leaders with a strong ego may make decisions based on personal pride rather than what is best for the team or organization. This can lead to poor judgment and detrimental business outcomes and mean they miss out on key lessons or opportunities being shared by their wider team.
- Lack of Accountability: An inflated ego can prevent leaders from admitting mistakes. This lack of accountability can erode trust and respect within the team.
- Resistance to Feedback: Leaders who are driven by ego often resist constructive criticism. This hampers personal growth and the ability to learn from others.
- Stifled Collaboration: Ego can create a competitive atmosphere rather than a collaborative one. This environment can hinder teamwork and innovation.
- Inconsistent Leadership: When ego drives leadership, decisions may be inconsistent, favoring personal agendas over organizational goals, leading to problems later.
Ego In Leadership: The Scenarios
Understanding the specific ways in which ego can manifest in a business environment is essential for addressing it effectively. Here are some scenarios where ego can be particularly challenging:
- Micromanagement: Leaders with an inflated ego often believe they know best and micromanage their teams. This stifles creativity and autonomy, leading to demotivated employees.
- Conflict Avoidance: Ego-driven leaders may avoid conflict to maintain their image of infallibility. This can result in unresolved issues festering within the team.
- Credit Hoarding: Leaders with a strong ego may take credit for team successes while deflecting blame for failures. This demoralises team members and reduces their sense of ownership.
- Inflated communication: Leaders or team members with a strong ego may own or dominate conversations for political gain, preventing key information and knowledge sharing from other team members to take place.
The Impact Of Bad Ego Management
Ego is the enemy of good leadership because it obstructs the qualities essential for effective leadership. Here’s why:
- Inhibiting Learning and Growth: Ego can prevents leaders from acknowledging gaps in their knowledge and seeking growth opportunities, personally and in their wider team.
- Loss of Trust : Trust is a fundamental component of leadership. When leaders are perceived as egotistical, it can erode trust and make team members feel undervalued and unappreciated.
- Poor Communication: Effective communication is key to leadership. Ego can lead to one-sided communication where the leader’s voice dominates, and team input is disregarded.
- A Toxic Culture: Ego-driven leadership can support fostering a culture of fear, competition, and mistrust.
How To Manage Ego Through Leadership
Self-management
- Self-Awareness: Reflect on your actions and decisions. Recognise when ego is influencing your behavior and actively work to counter it.
- Seek Feedback: Encourage honest feedback from your peers and team members. Use this feedback constructively to improve your leadership.
- Practice Humility: Acknowledge your limitations and be open to learning from others. Be aware of celebrating team successes and share the credit.
- Stay Grounded: Focus on the organisation’s goals rather than personal recognition. Remember that leadership is about serving the team and the mission, not about personal politics.
Team Management
- Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback without fear of retribution.
- Encourage Collaboration: Promote teamwork and collective problem-solving. Recognize and reward collaborative efforts.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate humility and openness in your leadership. Show that admitting mistakes and learning from them is a strength, not a weakness.
- Support Development: Invest in the growth and development of your team members. Encourage continuous learning and professional development.
Take Control Of Your Journey
Ego, when unchecked, can be a formidable barrier to effective leadership. By understanding its impact and implementing strategies to manage it, leaders can foster a more collaborative, innovative, and productive environment.
Effective leadership is a key element of Help To Grow: Management Course. The latest business management programme being delivered by Birmingham City University Business School.
This course is designed to help provide leaders with the tools they need to succeed professionally and grow their business in today’s dynamic business leadership. Find out more about the Help To Grow: Management Course today.
