When we speak of ego, exactly what is it that we are referring to? There are three definitions that I am aware of. My three definitions of ego are: a) the idea that one is better than, or superior to, others, b) the part of the psyche that is entirely focused on self, and c) the part of the psyche that keeps us feeling separate from others and the "universe". Any, or all of these aspects of character, are detrimental to how a manager interacts with their subordinates. There is no place in management for ego. It must be edged out in order for a business to operate smoothly and productively.
I will address the three concepts of ego individually by speaking on their drawbacks, and then offering some alternatives that can be put into practice, in order to edge ego out of your management practices. Firstly, let me address the idea that one may have that they are superior to others. This thinking is detrimental to the manager as your subordinates will immediately "feel" it. No one likes to be treated as if they are inferior. This simply leads to feelings of resentment in the employee, and they will resist any direction they are given by that manager. This, in turn, effects productivity and employee satisfaction severely. Something that is very important for a manager to bear in mind is that no one is better than, or superior to, anyone else. We all have different levels of education, different skills, and different life experiences. No one, however, is better than anyone else. Many doctors and other professionals insist on being addressed by their title. They want to others to believe that they are are superior because of their education. I know of a doctor who has edged ego out of his life and insists that others not address him as "doctor". He reminds people that he is not superior to them, he simply has different skills than others. His thinking is, that he could no more do someone else's job, than they could do his. If, as a manager, you adopt this thinking, you will find that your employees will be willing to accept any direction they are given, and will be happy to aid you in the success of the business.
The part of the mind that likes to stay focused on self can be a tricky one to control. A good portion of people in the Western world are completely controlled by this part of their psyche. A manager, who is controlled by their self-focused ego, will care nothing of his subordinates needs. He is only concerned with what they can do for him, to make him look better and to help him succeed with his own goals. Do not be disillusioned. Your subordinates will care nothing of your success, or your goals, if you employ this approach. I have found the easiest way to break free of this mind-set is to help others. You may ask, "How can I help my employees?" The answer is simple. Care about them. The employees are a business' greatest asset. They need to be treated with care and respect. My suggestion is that you take the time to find out what each employees needs are and what their goals are. Not just in the workplace, but in their personal lives as well. Once you have established what these needs are (over and above basic human needs), make every effort to help them in having those needs met. In turn, you will find yourself with employees who are more than willing to help you meet your own needs and goals. They may even end up doing it without even realizing that they are.
Whether you want to believe it or not, everything in this universe is made up of energy. As human beings, we are all connected to this energy and to each other. A manager who believes that he is not connected to those he manages, does himself a disservice. Here again, is something that co-workers can "feel". Everyone knows when someone else is doing everything in their power to be "separate". If a manager is carrying around negative energy, employees will feel it and not want to be near that manager. If your subordinates don't want to be within your proximity, it will prompt them to not interact with you. In order to manage people effectively, you need their input. You simply can't get their input if they don't want to, or are scared to, interact with you. Now you may be asking yourself, "How can I feel more connected to people and the universe." There is only one way I know of, and you may resist the idea. Meditation!!!! Meditation clears negative energy out of your body and connects you to the universal energy. Believe me when I tell you that you will feel it the very first time you give it a try. What have you got to lose other than living a happier, more fulfilled life, and being a far better and approachable manager.
Now, I would like to present you with some homework that will help you with "ego" by allowing you to step out of your own little world, and step into the world of those around you. These are some questions that I want you to ask yourself and investigate within your workforce.
1) What are my employees needs? Some of these needs may be obvious to you as you have the same needs. The basic human needs are shelter, food, and clothing. This equates to money for most of us. I recently had a business owner comment to me that his employees were unable to focus on their work and didn't seem to care about his business. He then told me that he pays a below poverty wage. I reminded him that his employees were unable to focus on their jobs because they were living in survival mode. Their daily focus was on how they were going pay the rent, buy groceries and afford a bus pass to get to work. There are also other needs, that human beings have, over and above the basics that an employer can help fulfill. People need to grow as human beings, they need a sense of self worth, they need quality time with friends and family and they need quality recreation time. Ask yourself, how can you help meet these needs in your employees.
2) How can I increase your employee's sense of self-worth. A pat on the back goes a long way in motivating employees. Financial bonuses go a long way. Although one would think that these are standard practices, they are not. There are many other things that can be done as well. Tickets to sporting events or concerts.....how about buying 10 tickets to the next casino concert for your top 10 employees and their significant others? How about a weekend at a hotel for top employees. I know of one company that takes an entire department to a tropical resort for 5 days. While there, they have learning and team building sessions, and they don't even realize that are "working." There are many things you can do. Give it some thought. Be creative.
3) How can I help my employees grow as human beings? All people to need to grow. We do this through learning, and through our spiritual practices (not necessarily religious practices). A suggestion might be to send employees to seminars. They can be either work related or self-help related, it doesn't really matter. They will grow through the process. Volunteer your employees to take part in a community event. I might even suggest that you pay them for their time. They will feel better about themselves and you will receive a better employee in return.
4) What can we do for our employees to make their lives easier? I was talking to a 55 year old journeyman welder today who is finding the physicality of his work increasingly difficult. He told me that he would be happy if his employer gave him more time off to recuperate from the work week. He said he didn't care about the money. I guarantee that if this fellow's employer would put him on an 8 hour a day, 4 day work week, that he would actually have a more productive employee. This employee's life would be easier with a shorter work week. Flex time and the ability to work from home are other ideas to make employees lives easier. Their are many ways. Once again, I suggest you give it some thought and be be creative.
5) What is truly important to our employees? If we take the time to talk to our employees, and really listen, we will find out what their passions are what is important to them. To some it may be family, to others it may be a nice tropical vacation each year, and to others it may be time to pursue their hobbies. Whatever it may be, we have the ability to help the people we rely on, to have the ability to enjoy the things that are important to them.
So, whether you are a small business owner, corporate CEO, middle manager or shop foreman, I can't stress enough the importance of putting our egos aside and taking care of those we manage. Their success is our success. I suggest that you not minimize the importance of these people and also bear in mind that their needs are the same as our own. Vishen Lakhini, CEO of Mind Valley (the happiest workplace on earth) has put the following very successful concept into practice......."Happiness is the New Productivity".
