I once had a manager who said something that changed the way I think about work and leadership, forever.
He said:
“My ego is not tied to what I write or this project. It’s tied to the outcome of my team.”
He called it egoless greatness.
The idea is simple but profound: set your ego aside for the greater good of the team, the mission, and the business. That’s it. And yet, that one principle can radically transform the way you show up at work and how others show up around you.
Ever since that conversation, I’ve adopted the same mindset, especially when asking for feedback. Whether I’m sending out a draft, a slide deck, a campaign strategy, or a piece of messaging, I say:
“Don’t be shy. Rip it to shreds if you like. My ego isn’t tied to what I create. It’s tied to the outcome it produces.”
And guess what? It works. Really well.
When people, especially those who report to you, know that you welcome honest feedback without defensiveness, they feel safe. They feel respected. They lean in. They share ideas. They point out gaps. They make your work better. And better work leads to better outcomes. It’s that simple.
Over time, this one shift in mindset has helped my teams create better-performing content, launch more impactful campaigns, and collaborate more openly. But more importantly, it’s helped build trust, and trust is the real multiplier in any business.
Why Egoless Greatness Matters
Egoless greatness isn’t about being passive or indifferent. It’s about being fiercely committed to the mission, and humble enough to know that your best work often gets better with help.
It’s the opposite of fragile leadership. It’s strong leadership. Because strong leaders aren’t afraid of critique, they invite it.
When ego takes a back seat, the mission moves to the front. And that’s when real innovation and collaboration can happen.
Adopt the Mindset
If you want to try this yourself, here’s a simple place to start:
The next time you send something out for review, don’t just say, “Let me know your thoughts.”
Say:
“Be honest. Don’t hold back. My goal is impact, not credit. What would make this better?”
Then watch what happens.
People will surprise you with insight, with perspective, and with a level of engagement you may not have seen before. Not because they’re trying to tear you down, but because they know you’re all building something bigger, together.
That’s egoless greatness.
And that’s how businesses grow.
