Is Your Ego Holding You Back From Your Intentions?
Our ego is such a powerful force. When we think about someone with a big ego, we think about someone who might exude confidence and self- importance. We might think of someone who is powerful. There is no judgement around someone who has a big ego, but it’s important to look at what the ego is costing us. The cost could be evident in our personal lives and in our professional lives.
Sometimes when we lead with ego, it’s because there is a fear of feeling. Ego allows us to lead with our heads, but intentions allow us to dig deeper into our emotionality. Often times, leading with ego feels powerful, and allows us to command control. This control feeds our ego and reinforces the story we tell ourselves about our self importance. Again, no right or wrong, but at some point, to lead in life or in business, we must be able to cultivate followers. If no one is willing to follow us, are we really leading?
Focusing in on intentions allows us to show up in this world true to our inner selves, who we really are. When we bypass our emotions, letting our ego lead, we do ourselves a great disservice. By leading with our ego, we exhibit control at a catabolic energy level. Most times, we are not happy- we can’t enjoy the power, because we know at some level, that this is not who we really are. Imposter syndrome starts to creep in. We become fearful that someone will find out that we are not this powerful, controlled egotistical bottom line person -no one can operate in this space 24 hours a day- the façade begins to break down and/or the cost of keeping up the façade begins to break us down. It’s exhausting. The fear of feeling will keep us in the trap of keeping up the ego. That’s a lot to contend with.
We begin to heal from this cycle of egoism, when we start to feel. When we start to release the stories we tell ourselves about power and control, we can start getting curious about our thinking patterns. Where did those beliefs stem from? How true are the stories? What other answers could there be? Am I trying to validate my beliefs or looking at the world without a filter?
When we start living out our intentions, we can start to see our highest self emerge. We can still excel as leaders, in fact, we become more powerful – but that power shifts from catabolic to anabolic. When we lead with our ego, often the ego reaction is destruction. When we lead with our pure intentions, we lead from our heart first, and then the mind follows. Our goals are aligned with the truest, and highest form of ourselves. We are able to create synergy and build relationships when we lead with our intentions.
If you’re struggling with ego in your leadership, and you’re ready to make some shifts, click the button below to schedule a free 30 minute discovery call.