Ego Vs Humility

Leadership Qualities

Ego is one of the biggest barriers to people working together effectively.  When people get caught up in their egos, it erodes their effectiveness. The combination of false pride and self-doubt created by an overactive ego gives people a distorted image of their own importance.

When a person has an ego that is so self-centered that it ignores the skills and talents of others, then this becomes destructive. Great leaders know how to keep their ego in check, because ego is only about edging greatness out and does not allow greatness in. Arrogance diminishes leadership.
  
In today’s business environment, organizations need people to work together collaboratively to meet the ever increasing expectations to achieve success. A way to re-calibrate an over active ego is to practice humility. Humility displays a willingness to learn and become better. True leadership entails an appropriate level of humility that brings out the best in others. Humility is the capacity to recognize that leadership is about serving others instead of being served.

Humble leaders seek input from others to ensure they have all the facts and are making decisions that are in the best interest of the team. Humble leaders are able to recognize their mistakes, learn from others, give credit where credit is due, and keep their personal egos in check. The proportion between Ego and Humility defines the capability of each individual to take on leadership roles.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பணிதல் அதுசான்றோர்

மாற்றாரை மாற்றும் படை. (985)

विनयशीलता जो रही, बलवानों का सार ।
है रिपु-रिपुता नाश-हित, सज्जन का हथियार ॥ (९८५)

Explanation by Scholars: 

Being humble is the strength of those who can accomplish an undertaking and that is the weapon with which the great avert their foes.

ஆணவமின்றிப் பணிவுடன் நடத்தலே, ஆற்றலாளரின் ஆற்றல் என்பதால் அதுவே பகைமையை மாற்றுகின்ற படையாகச் சான்றோர்க்கு அமைவதாகும்.