5 situations where ego can sneak up on even the best leaders – and how to avoid them
If I asked you whether ego is a problem in your leadership, you’d probably say no.
And with good reason! If you care enough to read an article like this, I doubt you’re the kind of leader who demands special treatment or pounds your chest in every meeting.
But ego doesn’t always look like arrogance.
Sometimes, it sneaks into the way we run meetings, structure teams, and make decisions. And it can be disguised as good intentions that feel reasonable in the moment but, over time, limit your impact and hold your team back.
But once you know these common places where ego can surprise you, you can sidestep them.
So today, I want to share five of the most common ego traps that derail good leaders, plus what to do instead.
Ego Trap #1: Talking more than listening
When you’ve worked hard to earn a leadership role, it’s natural to feel like your job is to provide answers. You want to show confidence, add value, and move things forward.
But here’s the hidden ego trap.
When you’re the first to speak, or the one who speaks the most, you unintentionally send the message that your voice matters more than anyone else’s.
Over time, that discourages your team from sharing their own insights, and you end up missing the truth of what’s really happening on the ground.
Better move: Show curiosity before you show your own expertise. Ask questions and then truly listen to what your team is telling you. You’ll learn more, and your team will feel more engaged in the conversation.
💡MORE INSIGHT: Hear Chase CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon explain why curiosity is a form of humility
Ego Trap #2: Hesitating to hire someone who might replace you
I bet you take a lot of pride in your job. That’s a good thing!
But that sense of pride can swell, and some leaders start to believe they’re the only ones who can do their job.
When it comes time to hire, those leaders hesitate to bring in someone talented who might outshine or even replace them. As a result, they hire people with limited capabilities who can’t grow with the organization.
That’s a big mistake, both for your team and for yourself. After all, if your boss thinks you’re the only one who can do your job, they may hesitate to give you your nextopportunity.
Better move: Don’t settle for filling a role. And don’t shy away from hiring people with big potential. Look for candidates you could see thriving not only in this job, but in the next one and the one after that. That’s how you build a stronger bench for the organization and open up paths for your own growth, too.
💡MORE INSIGHT: David Levy (co-CEO of Horizon Sports + Entertainment) shares why you have to hire capable people
Ego Trap #3: Equating “busyness” with importance
How does your calendar look? If you’re like a lot of leaders, it’s packed with back-to-back meetings. And every one of them reminds you that your input and presence are important.
But here’s where the ego trap lies. Sometimes, we start to mistake the feeling of being “in demand” as proof of our value.
In reality, that level of constant busyness is often a sign you’re reacting, not leading.
A full calendar can make you feel needed and important. But your team needs you focused, present, and strategic, not running ragged.
Better move: Remember that your value isn’t tied up in your busyness. Prioritize the work that only you can do as a leader, and free up your calendar for thinking, coaching, and building relationships. That’s where your real impact lies.
💡MORE INSIGHT See why author Juliet Funt believes you have to create margin in your day if you want to be at your best
Ego Trap #4: Hoarding decisions at the top
Sometimes, ego can sneak into our leadership under the guise of “I just want to make sure it’s done right.”
After all, quality matters, and it’s your job to make sure you’re delivering on it.
But when too many decisions have to cross your desk, you become a bottleneck. That need for control slows down progress and burns you out.
Worse, it erodes trust on your team and removes opportunities your people need to develop, learn, and grow.
Better move:Create a framework that helps you and your team know which decisions require your input or approval. Then, push all the other decisions to your team. You’ll build speed, capability, and trust all at once.
Ego Trap #5: Needing every idea to be original
Leaders are under constant pressure to innovate and set their organizations apart. And that drive is good! It fuels progress and helps teams stay competitive.
But there’s a sneaky tendency to twist it into the trap of “not invented here.” That’s the belief that unless an idea comes from you or from inside your organization, it isn’t good enough.
When you feel like you have to reinvent the wheel, you end up wasting precious time and energy. Plus, you miss opportunities to learn from what others are already doing well.
Remember, innovation doesn’t just mean starting from scratch. It can look like taking good ideas — wherever they come from — and making them your own through better execution.
Better move: Wipe out “not invented here.” Stay curious about what’s working outside your four walls. Go on “best practice” visits and find ideas you can borrow, adapt, and improve. You’ll still be innovating, but with humility and speed on your side.
💡MORE INSIGHT Here’s a clip from yours truly sharing why I try to seek insights everywhere and apply them however I can
Summing it all up
Ego doesn’t always show up as arrogance or attitude. Sometimes, it hides in good intentions when we want to add value, control quality, or prove our worth.
That’s why it can be so hard to spot. And it’s why even the best leaders stumble into these ego traps from time to time.
But once you name them, you can change them. And when you do, you’ll unlock more growth for your team and your organization.
So take a moment to reflect: which of these hidden ego traps shows up for you the most? Are there other ego traps I missed?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. I love learning from your perspective!
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