I recently listened to a conversation on the Clubhouse app where several well-known motivational speakers, and thought leaders were offering their personal insights into how important it is to understand the the facets of self to show up as an exceptional leader. It got me thinking how often leadership gets made out to be unnecessarily complicated. While I enjoy learning from perspectives different from my own, I believe that leadership is about human connections. That's it. One person making a meaningful connection to another human. We all have meaningful connections in our lives outside of the workplace, why then, do we make work relationships so challenging and complex? Leading others is simply showing up humble, as the best version of yourself, unconditionally so that others can thrive. When people feel valued, seen and heard and that their work has meaning, they remain engaged and connected.
The easiest way I have discovered to communicate with others is to LET GO OF YOUR EGO! The interaction is not about you. The conversation is not about how you feel or how the person makes you feel, it's about giving someone your time, undivided attention and to find a commonality that forms a connection.
Here are eight examples of how you know you have let go of your ego.
You can admit when you are wrong and apologize when necessary
You can laugh at yourself
You stay true to your "north star" and do the right thing even when nobody is looking
You have a healthy respect for holding yourself accountable to show up and hold space for others
You don't blame others when faced with challenges, but seek out the expertise of others and navigate the challenge together
You didn't become a leader for the corner office, you are more interested in making connections with others
You practice self-reflection and self-care knowing these are a critical component to growth as a leader
You demonstrate high emotional intelligence
Finally, secure leaders recognize that they don't need to have all the answers. Demonstrating that you don't know all things and revealing your vulnerability not only increases their feelings of connection and trust toward you it also demonstrates your willingness to learn from others.
When you can shift the language that you use from "I" to "Us/Together/Collective" is when the ego is no longer the dominant personality. I read a quote from an unknown author that stated: "EGO is the only requirement to destroy any relationship...so be the bigger person skip the "E" and let it "GO"
xo Michele
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