The Power of Ego!

In my book, HEIRPOWER! 2.0, I mention that: There’s a huge difference between a strong ego and a big ego. People who have a big ego go around telling others how great they are. People who have a strong ego don’t have to tell anyone anything, they just show how good they are and share their talents with the people they lead.

 

I’ve known a few “leaders” who obviously had a big ego. They flaunted their perceived power as often and as much as they could. The problem, which they didn’t notice so didn’t realize it was a problem, was that the only people who perceived them as leaders were themselves. They weren’t leaders. The only criterion for being a leader is that you have followers. At least one. Those people didn’t have followers. Their charges did only what they had to do. Given the opportunity, those followers would have let those “leaders” sink in their own perception. Interestingly, each of those people suffered from low self-esteem issues. They didn’t respect themselves, hence, neither did anyone else. And they certainly didn’t respect their followers. Their focus was on themselves, and it was obvious. That does not a leader make.

 

On the other hand, the real leaders, the PowerPact Leaders, with whom I served, who had a strong ego, were inspiring beyond their own realization. Their focus was on helping their followers empower themselves to be who they were capable of being and to apply their skills and knowledge toward the accomplishment of the mission. They were humble. They never told anyone how good they were, they just showed us how good WE could become. Their strength was not derived from themselves but from the compilation of the strengths of the entire team. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with them. Notice I said “with,” not “for.” The mission that that team was charged with accomplishing often required courage. That strong ego that those leaders exhibited was manifested in the courage that they exemplified and inspired in the rest of the team.

 

Effective Leaders don’t exhibit a big ego, they embody a strong ego. They’re confident in themselves and their followers, constantly inspiring their followers to do the same. And they encourage their followers by their example. It’s the only way to lead effectively. Be strong, not big!

 

Until next time,

 

Be GREAT!

 

You ARE!

 

¡HEIRPOWER!

 

bob vásquez!