Egos are often the reason small businesses fail. Egos are more destructive than any other factor and have caused wars, economic collapses, and created more problems than any other. This is where the expression “pride goes before a fall” comes from. What does this really mean?
You might need to pay more attention if you are a small-business owner who believes you are always right. There are many ways to accomplish the same thing, and no one is right.
Is there a little bit of you in the statement above? It’s okay if you do. Recognizing that you may have an ego problem is the first step to making changes.
These are the four best ways to work with your self-esteem instead of fighting it.
1. Identify what you are good at
There is no one expert in everything. If you think that you are, you should stop thinking so. It’s just your ego speaking, so ignore it. Now that you have cleared your mind, you can think about the areas you are really good at. These are yours, and they are the ones where you’re most likely to be correct. But that doesn’t mean that everyone else is wrong. Listening to others’ opinions and thoughts is essential. You are likely to hear something they have to say that you did not, or even better.
2. Count to Ten
Do you remember when your parents said to you that you should count to ten while you were mad? This allowed you to take time to consider what you would say before you spoke it. To prevent people from regretting saying or doing something, the count to ten exercises was created. The same applies to your ego. You can get into the habit of thinking about what you’re going to say before you speak. You can even sleep on it. Next, you can return to the topic with a clear head and a more positive attitude. This will prevent you from doing or saying something that you regret later. This is crucial in business as it will ensure you don’t say or do anything you regret. Although you might be forgiven in the end, it is highly probable that the issue will not be forgotten. That’s not a good thing.
3. Remember to see the big picture
You, as a small business owner, will always want the best for your company. If you constantly undermine your employees and partners, you can create a toxic work environment for them (and yourself). Studies show that people work better in an environment where everyone is happy, and the team works together. This is in contrast to an atmosphere that causes stress and fear and can cause people to lose their egos. Nobody wants to live on eggshells all day. They don’t want their opinions and ideas smashed down every day. This is not good for your employees, your business, or yourself.
4. Exercises to Check Your Ego at The Door
These are some great ways to keep your ego in check.
You should be focusing on your team’s goals, not you as an individual.
Listen to and interact with others who are more skilled in certain areas than yourself. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.
Learn to appreciate and understand others who are less shrewd than you.
Never be afraid of asking for help. Always ask for and receive feedback.
Do not be afraid to try out new things.
Listen more than you talk.
The bottom line
Remember that you don’t always have the correct answer and that things are not always your way. You can learn to recognize when your ego starts to rise and then practice different methods to control it. You can’t afford to let your business fail.
