EGO is usually defined as your idea or opinion about
yourself. Basically, the importance which we give ourselves. At work, lot of
people are in a team and it is important to have a healthy harmony in the team
as each one in the team is unique in their own way. Usually ego is seen as a
flawed thing, as it becomes a self-defeating quality when ego goes to the head.
It is very important to have a healthy ego in order to have a healthy sense of
self where we respect our own likes and dislikes.
The team’s ego should not come into the play of team
dynamics. Few things to be noted to cultivate a healthy ego for self and the
team are as discussed below.
Retrace
Your Steps
Ego is that component through which we deal with reality.
The ego builds up in the conscious mind and in the unconscious mind. When we
grow up with a loving sense of self and do not criticize ourselves inwardly
when we are unable to solve issues and develop the ability to address it and
work around, we are cultivating a healthy ego. Our way of handling
relationships meaningfully and with a sense of purpose also defines if the ego
is healthy or coming in the way. Try to recall if your friends or your partner
has pointed out that you have lot of ego. Then it needs to be addressed after
careful reflection.
Listen at Work
At
work, when we listen and observe carefully at what team players are saying and
commenting, we would come to know of our ego levels. When a person brags endlessly about his
achievements at work or about his strengths which becomes irritating then one
easily say it is a case of inflated ego. People with inflated ego start
believing that the team cannot exist without them. It becomes self-destructive
to have inflated egos as team members will eventually start shunning the person
inwardly. This will affect team dynamics as the strength of the team will be
hampered when there is no clear and transparent communication across the team.
The team members may opt to communicate in a subtle way. It is important that we
notice the teams responses and have a heart to heart talk to air and clear the
differences so that work will be carried out smoothly. If one starts making an
issue of it, walls are built around the person which are invisible and
difficult to break. Anger, low morale and frustration can result among people
who work together and suffer each other's competing egos. Many a time some
people in the team resort to joke around the behaviour to communicate
irritating behaviour. Watch out for these kinds of repartees and make necessary
correction as and when the situation arises. The corrective nature indicates a
healthy ego. Stay neutral and work toward a positive outcome.
Never Encourage Gossip @ Work
The problem with gossip is that it is mostly based
on assumptions. Not many care to get the facts verified. These assumptions can
cause fear and unhappiness without any reason. This fear will lead to internal
conflict and we start behaving in stranger ways, about what might be rather
than facts. Unfortunately, speculation can grow and cause fear and discontent
unnecessarily. When people start listening to gossip, this will lead to
creating a sense of distrust about the person whom they are going to gossip or
hear about. This will create disharmony in the team. Always remember people who
come to you and chatter about others will go and chatter about you to others as
well. Always make it a point to talk about your own experiences. This will also
encourage others to share their own experiences while you are saying about yourself.
This will help in creating great conversations and learning will be immense.
Always stick to facts and do not assume motives of other people. It may look
very convincing from far, however it will affect you in the long run as
non-factual information does more harm than good. When you start discussing facts and real
situations it helps to build a great rapport with team members.
Treat Everyone Equally
Do not have different kind of treatment to
different members in the team. All of you should treat each other equally. No
extra treatment for anyone in the team. The attitude of equality will develop
when we have the awareness that each one of us is unique and we all are fellow
team mates who are all working towards the same goal of the company. It is only
because of each one’s total involvement that the goals can be reached. When the
feeling of oneness comes and we treat each other alike that is when we are
having a healthy attitude. When sometimes we are overruled by the fact that we
have certain capabilities which are outstanding, then we need to bring in the
alertness that we also have some qualities which are not very strong in us. We
need to be grounded to hold the team together and move in the direction of
progress to achieve the goals.
Have Gratitude
When
we start developing gratitude and are thankful to the persons in the team, it
works wonders. Each one have their own journey and would have arrived at the
workplace to make their lives better. When we start counting our blessings and
see that by having the person in the team, the team can work towards
accomplishing great things will be such an inspiring and motivating factor.
Never miss out an opportunity to express gratitude. This will help to have a
healthy ego.
Comment
below with your thoughts. Watch this space for more insights on healthy mindset
for self-leadership. Want to bring about the culture of progress,
performance and productivity for maximizing your profits, attend our Turning
Point – Turn in and Tune in workshop. Mail us at culture@hasovan.com for more details. Our team would be happy to get in
touch. Catch the work-place philosophy of various companies in the book “Erupt
with Joy” by Savitha Hosamane.
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