2. Egoless Leadership—Why True Power Lies in Uplifting Others
Corporate culture often rewards the loudest voice in the room, but egoless leadership offers a different path. Instead of making everything about the boss, an egoless leader makes it about the team. This approach challenges the old “me-first” mindset – proving that true power isn’t about dominance or spotlight, but about lifting others up.
The Trap of Ego-Driven Leadership
A self-serving, ego-driven leadership style can poison a workplace. Leaders who hog all the credit, refuse to admit mistakes, and always have the final word might feed their own pride, but they destroy trust and morale. Employees under an egotistical boss often disengage or hold back – why speak up if the boss will take credit or dismiss your input? Eventually, creativity dwindles and performance suffers. In contrast, when a leader drops the ego, fear is replaced with respect and others feel free to contribute ideas.
True Power: The Strength of Humility
Humility is a leader’s secret weapon for building high-performing teams. Research shows that leaders who demonstrate humility – by being self-aware, praising others’ contributions, and staying open to feedback – achieve positive workplace outcomes and even curb negative behaviors on their teams. Why? Because humility fosters trust. When employees see their leader admit “I don’t have all the answers” or “Your idea was better,” it builds a culture of honesty and learning. An egoless leader lets others shine and makes it safe to fail and try again. For example, a manager who publicly credits her team for a successful project (and owns up to a slip-up of hers) sends a clear message: we’re in this together. That team will be more loyal and motivated, knowing their leader has their back and values their contributions.
Leading by Uplifting Others: How to Practice Egoless Leadership
What does egoless leadership look like day to day? Here are some practical ways leaders can remove ego from their decisions and empower their teams:
Share Credit Generously: Make a habit of spotlighting your team’s achievements. In meetings, highlight your team members’ contributions. Show you value their work and aren’t in it for the glory.
Own Your Mistakes: When things go wrong, hold yourself accountable. Don’t scapegoat your team or make excuses. By candidly admitting your own errors, you model accountability and create an environment where people aren’t afraid to be honest.
Listen Before You Lead: Practice active listening in discussions. Ask for input and truly consider it rather than doing all the talking. When employees feel heard, they trust that their perspectives matter – and you might learn something new.
Empower Others to Lead: Give team members ownership of projects and decisions whenever possible. Delegate meaningful responsibilities that let others stretch and grow – showing that the mission’s success matters more than your ego.
Uplifting Others, Elevating Success
Egoless leadership redefines what “power” means. It shifts from power over people to power with people. By uplifting others – giving them respect, credit, and room to grow – you multiply your influence and results. Teams led by humble leaders tend to be more engaged and innovative because everyone can contribute their best. The call to action here is simple: check your ego at the door. If you’re a leader or aspire to be one, commit to egoless leadership. Lead with humility, focus on developing those around you, and watch how quickly a culture of excellence takes shape. In the long run, a leader’s true legacy isn’t how much glory they took for themselves, but how many people they helped succeed.
About the Author
Curtiss Jacobs is a former senior corporate executive turned executive coach, advisor, speaker, author, and culture keeper. He has led transformations at Citigroup, AIG, Pitney Bowes, and Bank of America, generating over $3 billion in global impact. He co-founded the Leadership Elevation Alliance to help leaders advance selfless and egoless practices that drive innovation and retention.