Check Your Ego at the Door

Managers by the nature of their duties have authority over employees that report to them.How the manager exercises this authority defines them as a manager or leader of people.Leaders control their ego, in most cases, managers do not and it takes a confident person, secure in their abilities to control their ego.Ego, for our purpose of discussion is defined as and elevated inaccurate self-image of importance and using that idea to coerce an employee to complete their command.People who manage through their entitled authority, demands, or intimidation seldom raise productivity and add profit to the bottom line.This style lacks the ability to inspire and motivate those employees that are to report to them.Rather than receiving the "expected" respect and praise for their authority those under the managers charge react in the opposite, losing respect for the manager and most believe it is a sign of the managers weakness and lack of trust.Managers whose ego will not allow them to field or ask for suggestion can often hurt their organization.This story comes from The Executive Speechwriter Newsletter and begins at night with a ship at sea.The captain of the ship saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading directly toward him and so he gave the order to his signalman to blink to the other ship, "Change your course 10 degrees south." Shortly the reply came back, "Change your course 10 degrees north." The ship's captain was none to pleased with the response and send back the response, "I am the captain.Change your course south.To which the reply was. "Well, I'm a seaman first class.Change your course north." This infuriated the captain, so he signaled back. Dammit, I say change your course south.I'm on a battleship!" to which the reply came back. "And I say change your course north.I'm in a lighthouse.".Want to be a leader; check your ego at the door.Someone believed you exhibited leadership talent and ability and this knowledge should help you gain confidence in your abilities and role.Hire the best people, lead them with sincere praise and respect for their position in the organization and they will be motivated, productive and make you look great.Managers who want to be promoted should train their replacement long before they have the opportunity to move up the ladder.A number of years ago I was fortunate to report to Richard Lindstrom the General Manager of my division at American Optical.Rick gave lavished praise when earned, gave needed constructive criticism, also when earned, and sound counsel to all of his people.He was secure in his beliefs, goals, and direction and inspired all of us in our work because he respected us and it showed in the way he treated every one of us below his management level.To be a leader, do not be as the battleship captain and his unwilling attitude to accept suggestions from those of a "lesser" rank.Pattern your leadership on the qualities of Rick Lindstrom, open, honest, respectful, and how he checked his ego at the door.

More detail about Ships Ladder