Ego, Pride, and Overconfidence in Leadership
A leader’s greatest obstacle to becoming a better leader is often themselves—specifically, their own mindset. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed too many leaders fall in love with their own leadership style, mistaking experience and accomplishments for wisdom.
Ego, pride, and an unwillingness to listen to or value the opinions of others are the key ingredients of a toxic work environment. Leaders who refuse to acknowledge the contributions and insights of their team risk creating an atmosphere where trust is eroded, and potential is stifled.
Too many leaders feel the need to have all the answers. My advice to anyone falling into this trap is simple: “Stop it.”
The Hidden Nature of Ego, Pride, and Overconfidence
Ego, pride, and overconfidence are not always easy to spot. In fact, many leaders who exhibit these behaviors don’t see themselves this way. Sometimes, they perceive themselves as decisive or strong, but in reality, their actions can unintentionally alienate others.
The Impact of This Leadership Style
The results of ego-driven leadership are damaging:
Truth is buried: Team members hesitate to share honest feedback.
Relationships are strained: Collaboration and trust break down.
Productivity is lost: Employees work cautiously, avoiding mistakes rather than striving for excellence.
A toxic culture emerges: Over time, the work environment becomes demotivating and unhealthy.
Leadership is often associated with confidence and decisiveness, but great leadership also requires humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to fostering relationships. Without these, even the most experienced leaders can fall into the trap of overconfidence.
The Difference Between Confidence and Overconfidence
Confidence
Grounded in reality and preparation.
Open to feedback and values the opinions of others.
Inspires trust by demonstrating respect for diverse perspectives.
Overconfidence
Grounded in assumptions, self-belief, and biases rooted in “all my experience.”
Dismisses or minimizes concerns, often coming across as arrogant.
Creates an alienating environment where team members feel undervalued and ignored.
An Example of Confident Leadership
One of my former bosses, a Director of Operations for a large manufacturing facility, exemplified confident leadership. Weekly plant leadership meetings were held every Monday at 1:00 PM, with a structured agenda and clear expectations for preparation and alignment.
When a significant problem arose, my boss would clearly define the issue and explain why it needed to be addressed. He would then go around the room, asking every manager for their thoughts, concerns, and recommendations. He listened intently, took notes, and facilitated open discussions to clarify any points of confusion.
Finally, he would present his proposed solution, explaining his reasoning. Before moving forward, he always asked the team one crucial question: “Can you support this decision?”
Most of the time, the response was “yes.” Occasionally, dissenting views were raised, and when that happened, he welcomed further discussion to reach a stronger resolution.
These meetings were a masterclass in leadership. The team was motivated, aligned, truthful, and, most importantly, valued one another because of our leader’s ability to balance confidence with humility.
Final Thoughts on Leadership and Humility
As a leader, your greatest strength lies not in always being right, but in creating a safe environment where opinions are openly shared and valued. By coupling this with humility, you set the stage for personal growth, stronger relationships, and a team culture that thrives.
Leadership is not about asserting authority; it’s about elevating those around you. When you focus on listening, learning, and leading with integrity, you inspire others to give their best.
Scriptural Wisdom for Leaders
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”Proverbs 26:12
“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Great leadership is rooted in humility, self-awareness, and a genuine commitment to valuing others. When you lead with these principles, you not only grow as a leader but also cultivate a culture where everyone thrives.