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Harold Geneen, a legendary corporate autocrat, declared that egotism to be the worst disease that can afflict business executives. It is a problem that is "in the closet, a secret everyone knows, few talk about, and almost no one knows how to handle," according to Geneen. "The egotist may walk and talk and smile like everyone else. Still, he is impaired as much by his narcissism as the alcoholic is by his martinis." To be sure, career success requires confidence and self-assurance. Those who rise to the top are driven to a considerable extent by a need to satisfy their inner needs for recognition and control over events. Career Tip: The Egotists Think They Can Do No Wrong And that's okay. How else can one have the courage to make decisions and direct the activities of others? The damage starts when the boss's ego reaches the point that he thinks he doesn't need advice and can do no wrong. The influences that spread this insidious ailment of egos out of control are everywhere. They become increasingly virulent the higher one climbs up the organizational ladder. There are few people to answer to; greater ego-building rewards; sycophants courting favors. Rampant egos pave the career path to personal and organizational disasters. Career Tip: An Ego Check Is Healthy Wise careerists can check their egos by providing honest answers to the following 11 questions: 1. Do you always demand your way on all issues? Do your subordinates consistently "yes, sir" you? Do you entertain contrary opinions? 2. Are those who report to you usually nervous in your presence? 3. Are you often surprised with bad news after others know about it? 4. Do you readily concede you made a mistake or do you blame others? 5. Do you insist on making all decisions? 6. Are you concerned about the size and location of your office? The kind of company car you drive? Do you constantly check on the compensation and "perks" others receive and insist you get more? 7. Do you go out of your way to receive compliments and feel hurt when you don't get more kudos than your peers? How many plaques and certificates do you have hanging on your office wall? How about photographs featuring you and some notable person? How do you feel about personal media attention? 8. Do you "collect" memberships on committees even though you attend only the "show" meetings? 9. Do you ever sit at a place other than the head of the table at a meeting? 10. What does your reflection tell you when you ask, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the smartest, most loved boss of all?" 11. Do you think you are the only one who can do your job? Do you believe the organization would fail if you weren't on board? Admittedly, this is not a scientific test that lends itself to precise diagnoses. Apply your own measurements. However, it is a safe bet you have an ego problem if you see none of these symptoms in your own behavior. Attaining career success requires a healthy ego, the awareness of oneself. The trick is striking the proper balance between low self-esteem that restricts a successful career path, and an inflated ego that leads to self-destruction. Other thoughts on egos: "If it is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are mentally and morally superior to those who differ from us in opinion." – Elbert Hubbard "An egotist is a man who thinks that if he hadn't been born, people have wondered why." – Dan Post "Egotism is nature's compensation for mediocrity." – L. S. Safian "Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pains of stupidity." – Frank Leahy "There is only one thing that can keep growing without nourishment; the human ego." – Marshall Lumsden
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