Are You a Fearless Leader or a Fire-Breathing Ego Monster?

By: Dan Iosue | 6,098 Reads | 40 Shares

%3Cp%3EHave+you+ever+thought+of+asking+someone+in+your+business+%22Am+I+difficult+to+work+for%3F%22+If+so%2C+I+suggest+you+save+yourself+the+energy%2C+because+the+answer+is+likely+%22Yes.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EA+better+question+to+ask+yourself+is%2C+%22How+difficult+is+it+to+work+for+me%3F%22+As+you+self-reflect%2C+consider+these+questions%3A+Does+it+appear+your+people+do+things+out+of+pure+compliance+or+personal+motivation+for+group+gain%3F+Do+your+people+generally+appear+happy+at+work+or+are+they+trudging+through+the+day+to+get+out+of+there%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThe+ability+to+challenge+people+in+your+organization+can+push+performance+and+break+barriers.+However%2C+as+leaders%2C+it+is+important+to+find+the+balance+of+motivating+versus+throwing+power+around+to+get+things+done.+Our+strongest+personality+traits+are+often+only+a+few+degrees+away+from+our+greatest+weaknesses.+These+few+degrees+of+separation+can+be+the+difference+between+serving+as+a+fearless+leader+or+acting+like+a+fire-breathing+ego+monster.+Sometimes+the+ego+monster+serves+a+purpose%2C+but+it+usually+lashes+out+destroying+the+confidence+and+motivation+of+whoever+is+in+its+path.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EA+business+can+survive+and+even+thrive+for+some+time+with+a+fire-breathing+ego-monster%2C+but+at+some+point%2C+it+just+gets+old%2C+especially+when+you+have+high+performers.+Sure%2C+the+opportunity+to+%22run+the+show%22+one+day+may+motivate+them+to+endure+it+for+a+while%2C+but+unable+to+find+an+escape%2C+they%27ll+act+out+in+avoidance%2C+confrontation%2C+or+passive+aggressive+battles.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ESo+what+do+you+do%3F+The+answer+depends+on+your+desire+to+impact+lives%2C+retain+talent%2C+and+perpetuate+your+multi-unit+franchisee+business+through+key+managers+or+family.+Are+you+motivated+by+enhancing+the+lives+around+you%3F+If+so%2C+then+a+change+in+behavior+is+one+of+the+only+paths+to+better+results.+As+someone+once+said%2C+the+journey+of+one+thousand+steps+begins+with+one+%28or+in+this+case%2C+two%29.+In+our+experience%2C+there+are+two+steps+you+can+take+to+keep+the+fire-breathing+ego+monster+at+bay+and+to+generally+improve+communication+among+everyone+else+who+works+for+you.+When+you+feel+ego+monster+beginning+to+rear+its+ugly+head+either+through+challenging+or+disagreeing%2C+try+the+following+strategies%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Col%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%22Yes...and%22+instead+of+%22Yes...but.%22+For+example%2C+%22Yes%2C+I+understand+why+you%27d+want+to+stock+more+widgets+to+sell%2C+and+if+we+do+stock+more+widgets%2C+our+inventory+costs+will+erode+profitability%2C+exposing+us+to+unnecessary+risk.%22+Much+different+than+saying%2C+%22Yes%2C+I+understand...but+it%27s+not+a+good+idea.%22%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3E%22That%27s+interesting...why+would+you+do+that%3F%22+%22...what+leads+you+to+believe+that%3F%22+%22...why+would+you+think+that%3F%22%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fol%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThe+long-term+solution+to+taming+the+ego+monster+will+likely+take+some+time%2C+soul-searching%2C+and+a+level+of+introspection+that+can+feel+impossible+without+the+coaching+of+outside+counsel.+However%2C+the+simple+steps+above+will+create+an+immediate+change+in+behavior%2C+albeit+slight%2C+but+sometimes+that%27s+all+that%27s+necessary+to+achieve+a+more+harmonious+business+environment.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp+style%3D%22border-top%3A+3px+solid+%23DDDDDD%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3Cem%3E%3Cstrong%3EDan+Iosue%3C%2Fstrong%3E+is+an+associate+of+The+Rawls+Group%2C+a+business+succession+planning+firm.+Dan+specializes+in+dealing+with+the+issues+that+must+be+resolved+by+business+owners+to+implement+succession+strategies+geared+towards+building+business+value.+For+additional+information%2C+visit+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawlsgroup.com%22+target%3D%22_blank%22+rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ewww.rawlsgroup.com%3C%2Fa%3E+or+call+407-578-4455.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: July 10th, 2018