Hello all! The past weekend, I read a LinkedIn article entitled, ‘Are you falling into these 5 ego traps?’ on September 9, 2025. I then was thinking that ‘ego’ is classic and so ‘sustainable’ in more wrong than right ways. So, I summarized it to share this week ka.
It’s from David Novak, my favorite podcaster ‘How
Leaders Lead’ podcast who is former CEO of Yum! Brands, and #1 NYT Bestselling
Author of his book ‘How Leaders Learn’….I did share with you all and had three episodes
about the book (still the best in my mind today ka!)
The 5 ego’s can trap every leader, even the best so learning
to avoid them ka.
1.
Ego Trap #1: Talking more than listening
Immediately I think of our Thai culture and in a way,
talking more by senior leaders could seem to be expected and acceptable.
Yet, many cases and lessons show how leaders must be trained to speak the last
and sometimes, could be the least ka.
David Novak says, ‘When you’re the first to speak, or the
one who speaks the most, you unintentionally send the message that your voice
matters more than anyone else’s.’
Agree with him mai ka? Why or Why not? What could be the
consequences?
For a better move, he says, ‘Show
curiosity before you show your own expertise. Ask questions and then truly
listen to what your team is telling you. You’ll learn more, and your
team will feel more engaged in the conversation.’
2.
Ego Trap #2: Hesitating to hire someone
who might replace you
We repeatedly talk about it to have much smarter people to
work with us, for the overall performances to be better and we too learn
from the brighter colleagues. Anyway, quite a few could feel threatened
and less secure.
David Novak points out that some could have high sense of
pride, believing they’re the only ones to be able to do it. Having talents in
the team could also make them feel less shining ka.
For a better move, he says, ‘Don’t settle for filling a
role. And don’t shy away from hiring people with big potential. Look for
candidates you could see thriving not only in this job, but in the next one and
the one after that. That’s how you build a stronger bench for the
organization and open up paths for your own growth, too.’
3.
Ego Trap #3: Equating “busyness” with
importance
When we equate ‘busyness’ with ‘working hard’, it seems we
could feel better to be ‘needed’.
David Novak stresses, ‘In reality, that level of constant
busyness is often a sign you’re reacting, not leading.’
For a better move, he says, ’…..your value isn’t
tied up in your busyness. Prioritize the work that only you can do
as a leader, and free up your calendar for thinking, coaching, and building
relationships. That’s where your real impact lies.’
4.
Ego Trap #4: Hoarding decisions at the
top
Feel it’s frequently seen and still in active force for
the government sector mai ka?
David Novak tells leaders not to become a bottleneck. Trust
the team and empower them.
For a better move, it is to ‘create a framework that
helps you and your team know which decisions require your input or approval.
Then, push all the other decisions to your team. You’ll build speed,
capability, and trust all at once.’
5.
Ego Trap #5: Needing every idea to be
original
There’s no need to be ‘original’ all the time as it isn’t
possible to be that innovative. We can also get ideas from others who are
already doing well.
For a better move, he encourages the use of wiping out
“not invented here.” Stay curious and identify “best practice” while borrowing
good ideas to adapt, and improve
His summary is concise mak ka: ‘Ego doesn’t always show
up as arrogance or attitude. Sometimes, it hides in good intentions when we
want to add value, control quality, or prove our worth.’
Ignite any thought or comment or choose any item you tend to do often mai ka? I chose #1 as I talk too much sometime and will attend 2 listening workshops soon kaa.
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