The building where I work is in a constant state of reconfiguring. A latest exercise has the floor maps spread out for review with names being moved around like jigsaw puzzle pieces.
Now, before I go any further, I have not been with the company long enough to have experienced this, but I have been well informed of the days when corporate status was highly reflected in your work space...large cubicle/small cubicle, table/no table, wood furniture/laminate furniture, office with a door/office without a door, plant/no plant...you get the point. I have chuckled about this to myself many times, wondering how this distraction contributed to individual success or sense of self worth.
In this latest game of office musical chairs, I am scheduled to move out of my current office (which has been lovingly decorated with my 'things') that has a nice little view and escapes the direct attack of the sun; however, considering myself fairly low maintenance, I wasn't overly concerned about where I ended up.
As the moves were being finalized, I was asked to take a peek at my new location. The hesitation on the side of our admin was a foreboding of what was to come. As I casually walked into the new office, I found myself staring out the window, the window which perfectly framed a SMOKESTACK. My reaction was immediate and powerful. Much less casually, I headed (well, stomped) back to strongly declare 'I am not moving to that office!'
What was that all about?
I had just suffered what I soon self analyzed to be one major ego attack. That smokestack was some evil symbol of disrespect to my work, my leadership and my value to the company.
My husband is a psychotherapist (a blessing or a curse depending on the day and my mood), so I have a good education on the topic, but deep analysis on ego in the workplace can be left to the experts. My smokestack fit, however, did remind me that ego is alive and well and a part of who we are as leaders. As silly as this one episode seemed (and as much as I'd love to blame in on the travel hangover), it illustrates how easy the balance can be thrown off if you let it.
I guess we can go zen and try to wipe out the smokestack instances with focused, meditative activities, but I am skeptical about abandoning the fact that strong egos are a necessary part of strong leadership...this is what gets us out of bed to face another day, to tackle the challenges, to argue our points, and to support our teams.
More importantly, and much more simply, it's a matter of recognizing susceptibility we all have to this being a dangerous derailer...whether that means stagnating our ability or desire to learn, paralyzing our ability to make hard decisions or hear difficult news, or buying into a sense of self importance.
At our best moments, leaders recognize there reaches a point where it's not all about us anymore and that there will be many times where we relinquish prideful reactions to allow us to move forward. But, remember that not all our moments are our best ones.
The defense...don't be afraid to call yourself out or let others call you out when your ego sets you up. I have some valued support that reminds me when I am incapable of catching it myself...and very much did so during my recent attack.
I would love to say that I got over my reaction and that I will selflessly sit in self awareness with the smokestack, but...
At least there was a lesson in it.
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