Go and Humbly Kick Some Ass! Ego’s Greatest Partner is Humility
Joshua Waldron
VISIONARY BUSINESS EXECUTIVE ► Delivering Next-Level Revenue, Profits, and Operational Excellence ► Rapid Enterprise Growth | Expansion | Company Turnarounds | Business Start-Ups
This crazy thing called ego is a volatile little psychopath. Every major leap in human progress has been made possible by ego. Yet, the horrific destruction of lives throughout history also has ego in the starring role. The key to lasting success and happiness is balancing ego and humility. Use ego to drive your ambition, dreams, and creativity and the humility to recognize the people who helped you, the resources available, the gratitude for the opportunities, and the blessings of being alive.
Without ego, we would be toiling in the fields, hunting for protein, and living in semi-permanent dwellings made of sticks and mud. Instead, ego has provided luxuries we never knew we needed, we have more information in the palm of our hand than the entire world held collectively in the not-so-distant past, and the world has become smaller by connectivity and by speedy means of travel. Quite frankly, without ego life would be boring.
The dark sides of ego are so profoundly disgusting that they have all but ruined Ego’s identity. The ego is desperate to be understood. It wants everyone to know that it has good attributes, that when properly harnessed can yield incredible results.
A healthy ego can drive ambition, motivation, and self-confidence. It pushes individuals to strive for success, overcome obstacles, and assert themselves in the world. It fosters a sense of pride in one's accomplishments and fuels personal growth.
Think about how often humans celebrate and even worship ego. According to Statista, The Roman Colosseum had nearly ten million visitors in 2022 and Travel and Leisure Magazine notes the Great Wall of China has that many visitors every year. One of the most egotistical creations of all time is The Pyramids in Egypt, as it was built on the back of slaves as a burial place for a ruler, yet according to the Egyptian Government, they have fourteen million visitors a year. I cannot think of anything that requires more hubris than a guy who forces people to build a tomb of such grandeur and expense to human lives as the pyramids.
On the other hand, we all hate ego too. Whether it’s because your boss is a pompous prick, or because we are tired of people like Donald Trump. Excessive ego can lead to arrogance, narcissism, and a disregard for others' feelings and perspectives. It blinds individuals to their flaws and limits their ability to learn and grow. It can fuel destructive behaviors such as manipulation, aggression, and a constant need for validation.
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Ultimately, the key lies in finding a balance – harnessing the positive aspects of ego while remaining humble and open-minded. It's about recognizing our strengths without succumbing to hubris and acknowledging our weaknesses without being consumed by self-doubt. Striking this balance allows us to navigate the complexities of life with grace and authenticity.
Stop hating on ego. We need it for growth and progress. We need it to colonize Mars or invent disruptive technology. We need it to cure disease, create jobs, and promote democracy. But we also need to keep it in check. To keep it in check we need to continue to ask questions, learn, and stay open-minded. We need to fail well by admitting our mistakes and learning from them. We need to open our hearts to give and receive compassion. Admit we don't know what we don't know. Admit that what we think we know might be wrong.
Most importantly, when you are blessed with success, to stay on top you need to stay skeptical, stay open-minded, stay compassionate, stay grateful, stay humble, stay hungry, stay inquisitive, and keep a healthy ego because it is these things that got you there.
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