Our Solutions
Leadership Programs
Leadership Retreats
Transformation
Compassionate Leadership
Leading in Age of AI
Human Leader
About Us
Our Story
Locations
Leadership Team
Our People
Our Clients
Join Us
Insights & Research
26
Insights & Research
Published Articles
Our Blog
Research and Tools
Resources
Book a Speaker
Compassionate Leadership Book
Events
Books
In The News
Audio Practices
Contact Us
More Human Book
Choose your language:
English
right arrow
Spanish
right arrow
French
right arrow
EN
facebook iconLinkedIn logo
Mindsets
Leadership Programs
Transformation
Leadership Retreats
Human Leader
Leading in Age of AI
About Us
Our Story
Locations
Leadership Team
Our People
Our Clients
Join Us
Insights & Research
Published Articles
Our Blog
Research and Tools
Wise Compassionate Leadership
Resources
Books
Compassionate Leadership Book
Apps
In The News
Events
Book a Speaker
Audio Practices
Contact Us
More Human Book
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Home
right arrow icon
Insights
right arrow icon
Overcoming Ego to Unleash Innovation

Overcoming Ego to Unleash Innovation

By
Jacqueline Carter
,

This article was originally published on the ATD Blog.

When the full impact of the global pandemic hit, the business world was upended. Leaders had to learn how to pivot business and personnel to virtual ways of working. While the crisis demanded a tremendous effort from leaders and their teams, it was a focused effort.

As the world starts to re-emerge from the constraints of the pandemic, leaders are facing another massive transition. But this one is much more difficult to navigate because the solutions are unclear. What does the ideal world of work look like now that our traditional ways of working have changed? How do we continue to grow thriving businesses while supporting and cultivating an engaged and healthy workforce?

In these times of unprecedented change, we must let go of what was and open up to new possibilities. But this is no easy task. We all have egos, and egos are naturally inclined to want things to “go back to the way they were” and seek the familiar and comfortable versus the unknown and the undefined.

According to research, the higher leaders rise in the ranks, the greater their chance of developing an inflated ego. We get caught in an insular bubble of our own self-importance or our own self-preservation. Either way, our minds become smaller, more biased, and more limited. An inflated ego can trap us in old patterns of thinking and fear-based decision making that limits our ability to innovate.

It takes considerable effort to confront our fears and overcome the limitations of ego to see new possibilities for ourselves, our people, and our organizations. Working with our ego is the foundation for our journey toward unleashing innovation and realizing more of our potential.

In our current business context, breaking free of an overly protective, inflated ego is critical to short- and long-term sustainability and success. Successfully emerging from the pandemic requires us to have a bigger mind that is more open to new ideas and new ways of working. In practical terms, this means we need to focus on asking questions rather than providing answers. We need to look to others for inspiration and help. We need to become comfortable being vulnerable and bring more humility to our daily work.

We can also benefit from training our minds to be more open to new possibilities as well as more focused on others and less focused on ourselves. Specific types of mindfulness practices can help us cultivate minds that are calmer and clearer. These practices help us rewire our brain so that we can be less focused on ourselves and more open to others and new possibilities. The right kinds of mindfulness practice help loosen the ego’s grip and have been scientifically shown to boost creativity and innovation.

While managing your ego is a life-long endeavor, a few simple steps can get you started:

  • Develop a mindset of courage over comfort. We all are naturally oriented to seek comfort. When we are intentional about seeking courage over comfort, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and new ways of leading.
  • Cultivate humility and gratitude. None of us can survive or thrive on our own. When we cultivate humility, we recognize that we are indebted to the many people who have supported and continue to support our success. With this recognition, a natural experience of gratitude arises, and we can be more patient, considerate, and open to others and their ideas.
  • Incorporate mindfulness into your daily habit. Our brain is like any other muscle—it can be trained. If we want to overcome the limitations of ego, mindfulness training can help us become more calm, clear, and kind. In particular, training in mindfulness can help us recognize and overcome the limitations of our ego and enable us to see ourselves and our world with more potential.
  • Name and challenge assumptions that no longer serve you. Work toward a mind that experiences enhanced creativity and innovation by being open to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches.

‍

left arrow
right arrow

More Insights

March 2025
AI is not the silver bullet: How smart leaders drive lasting transformation
Read more
right arrow
March 2025
Women Leaders Do Hard Things in a Human Way
Read more
right arrow
February 2025
Using AI to Make You a More Compassionate Leader
Read more
right arrow
February 2025
How Artificial Intelligence will Redefine Leadership
Read more
right arrow
June 2024
How AI Can Make Us Better Leaders
Read more
right arrow
April 2024
To Succeed with AI, Adopt a Beginner’s Mindset
Read more
right arrow
January 2024
The Best Leaders Can’t Be Replaced by AI
Read more
right arrow
January 2024
You’re not locked into being one kind of leader. Here are the mindset shifts to make.
Read more
right arrow
December 2023
To AI or Not to AI: The Question is When, Not If
Read more
right arrow
October 2023
Leaders, Are You Supporting Mental Health at Work?
Read more
right arrow
Read more Insights
Get the latest insights on creating a more human world of work.
Subscribe to stay up-to-date on insights, events and new solutions.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Subscribe
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
AI in Leadership

Learn more about Potential Project research and the value of human leadership in an AI-driven world.

Read more
right arrow icon
Leadership Programs

Learn how Potential Project helps leaders to adopt a new playbook for more impactful leadership.

Read more
right arrow icon
Transformation

Learn how Potential Project helps organizations achieve complex transformations.

Read more
right arrow icon
Leadership Retreats

Learn how Potential Project offers unique experiences to help you connect more deeply with your best self.

Read more
right arrow icon
How can we help you?
Start Here

© – Potential Project

Terms & Conditions
PrivacyImpressum