Brig Sorber is an author, frequent speaker at Brigfoot, LLCand co-founder of Two Men and a Truck.
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There is a difference between having an ego and having an ethos. Ethos is about having character, being respected and being someone people want to emulate. Ego, on the other hand, is all about self-centeredness and self-bloating. It’s the difference between being a leader and being a boss. A boss has an ego; a leader has ethos. So how can you live and lead with ethos instead of ego? Here are a few things I’ve found that keep me from getting ego-driven.
Be humble.
Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially as their leader. Many of us have had leaders who can’t stand when the light shines on someone else. That’s why it’s so important to lead humbly — being open to the input of others, listening carefully, and taking responsibility for your actions. Humility as a leader means admitting when you’re wrong and not taking yourself too seriously. When you do this, you build trust among team members, create a positive work environment, show that you respect others and their abilities, and ultimately stay grounded and focused on your goals. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of leadership and lose sight of what’s important. But by leading humbly, you can stay humble and keep your priorities in check. Ultimately, humbly leading is about putting others first, building relationships, and creating a positive work environment.
Serve others.
The more you focus on helping others, the less you will focus on yourself. And if you’re not so self-focused, your ego will probably start to disappear. I have found that a servant-based approach to leadership really resonates with me. This leadership style is based on the idea that leaders should serve their followers, rather than expect their followers to serve them. Servant-based leaders put the needs of their team and organization first, and they work to create a positive environment in which everyone can thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how extremely effective this is in organizations of all sizes in creating positive, collaborative work environments where employees are engaged and motivated. I also believe that serving in a leadership style promotes better decision-making, as leaders are more likely to consider the needs of all stakeholders when making decisions.
Be authentic.
Don’t try to be someone you are not. People can see through it, and they won’t respect you for it. Authenticity is the key to ethos. After all, how can people trust you if they don’t know who you really are? And how can you expect your team to accept your vision if it doesn’t reflect their values ​​and beliefs? When you are genuine and honest with yourself and with others, it builds trust and creates a connection that inspires people to follow your lead. On the other hand, when leaders try to be someone they are not, it often comes across as fake or fake, which can quickly undermine their credibility. So how can you become more authentic as a leader? It starts with being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. It also requires being open and transparent with others, sharing your thoughts and feelings honestly and openly, and making sure you are connected to those around you.
Practice empathy.
Why is empathy so important to leaders? Because it empowers you to build strong relationships with team members, understand the needs and concerns of others, and really motivate you to set and achieve common goals. If you want to be a successful leader, empathy should be one of your top priorities because putting yourself in the shoes of your employees will help you better understand their needs and concerns, and this can make it easier to motivate and get them. them along with your vision. One way to develop empathy is to simply be present. This means being completely in the moment and actively listening – make eye contact and focus on who is talking to you. Don’t interrupt and ask questions. Show that you’re interested and watch your body language – if you’re not bored or irritated, make sure you don’t unintentionally show signs of impatience or boredom.
Be patient.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does developing ethos. Be patient with yourself and be patient with others.
When your actions come from sincerity and truth, you can instill confidence in others and create a positive impact that lasts long after you’re gone. On the other hand, when your actions are driven by ego, they often have negative consequences and damage relationships. Living and leading with ethos instead of ego can be difficult, but it is well worth it. If you have ethos, you are someone people want to follow. You are a leader, not a boss. And that’s a good thing.
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