Egonomics: What Makes Ego Our Greatest Asset (or Most Expensive Liability)
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Book Overview
The QuestionsArrogant, self-centered, stubborn,andinsecure-- words that most people associate with ego. But in this original, eye-opening work, authors David Marcum and Steven Smith argue that the upside of ego is as powerful as the downside and answer questions about ego that have been a mystery to most people. In his landmark book,Good to Great,Jim Collins showed that one of two key traits defined leaders who transformed organizations from good to great: humility. But if humility is so powerful, why don't more of us have it? Why does ego allow us to reach good results but never great ones, unless balanced by humility? Why do we need ego to personally succeed, while having it often interferes with the success we pursue? The AnswersUsing five years of exhaustive research, Marcum and Smith provide compelling evidence and matter-of-fact answers on striking the balance between ego and humility to reach the next level of leadership. The authors include case studies to illustrate how ego subtly interferes with success but also how ego sparks the drive to achieve, the nerve to try something new, and the tenacity to conquer adversity. The Early Warning SignsWe all have moments when ego costs us everything from an honest conversation to a job or promotion. Through cross-disciplinary research, egonomics reveals how to detect four early warning signs that ego is becoming a liability, including how: being too competitive makes you less competitive defending ideas turns into defending yourself winning ideas can be halted by the creator's own intelligence and talent desiring respect and recognition can interfere with success The Keys to Egonomic HealthThree key principles keep ego healthy: humility: striking the crucial balance between too much ego and not enough curiosity: blending free thinking and discipline without bias veracity: removing fear of giving or getting feedback to produce water-cooler honesty With a clear focus on elevating the way you do business,egonomicsis a liberating approach to becoming a rare and respected leader.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:1416533230
ISBN13:9781416533238
Release Date:September 2007
Publisher:Fireside Books
Length:256 Pages
Weight:1.02 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Break out performance
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
All too often in teams we are unable to exceed expectations. Instead of multiplying talents to achieve superior results, we bring our team down to the lowest common denominator of each member's weaknesses. Egonomics breaks this paradigm by giving teams the tools they need to maximize effectiveness through the power of ego. You will be hard pressed to find a book with as many ah ha moments, and bent pages to mark all the items you will want to use as examples. You will find your leaders skeptical of these methods, but the dynamics of a team that uses it effectively are amazing. This book goes beyond business, and extends to how to be better in life.
what makes ego work @ work
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
When I read this book I had two thoughts: 1) as the leader of my company, why haven't I looked more closely, until now, at my own ego, and 2) why is it that, as the authors ask in the book, we get so protective of our egos when the topic surfaces? What are we afraid of? It's soon clear in the book that the authors have no interest in removing ego from anyone or anywhere, especially business; just better management of it. I think everyone will find very individual answers in this work; it became clear to me the further I read that the "answers" in this book have as much to do with self-reflection and a precise self-awareness as they do for the methodologies of communication and teamwork that they purport. In terms of that awareness, for me at least, it's difficult to let go of what's worked in the past to try something new, and the authors are clearly asking us to consider a different way to work. Not unimaginable, but certainly a different "level." The three principles they focus their work on--humility, curiosity, and veracity--seemed a very solid balance to the "power of ego." The four early warning signs of mismanaged ego outline why ego gets the best of us at times. I expected a more pure psychological read, and instead found myself comparing their writing along the lines of investigative business journalists rather than psychologists. If you're interested in the purely academic/Freudian side of ego, this isn't for you. I don't think the authors intended it for that (very much focused on the workplace). If you're looking for more of a "Blink" or "Wisdom of Crowds" POV, then this book is terrific.
A great discussion of managing ego
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
The strength of this book lies in its explanation of the concepts that each of us has experienced in our day-to-day interactions. Much of the content we intuitively understand to be true, but the authors do an excellent job of providing research-based examples that illustrate the root causes of such behavior and what can be done to overcome, or in other cases encourage, the behavior.
A must read for Leaders
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
David Marcum and Steve Smith may have stumbled on a perspective many ignored for its complexity and raw form. I find the ideas insightful and relevant to Leaders in many levels. It is a great discussion on EGO and its unique ability to shape the environment. Egonomics transforms a hard to tackle topic into an everyday measure of performance and business relevance. Egonomics is an awareness of truth in Leadership.
Fresh look at a sensitive topic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Egonomic is a fresh look at a sensitive topic which is rarely addressed in business or leadership books. Most of us see the negative impact of the ego in our daily settings. Rarely is there a book which emphasizes the positive power and impact of the ego as a business resource. The organization's which leverage this valuable resource as an asset will have more positive trends on their financial results. The first chapter presents compelling evidence from business people's estimate on how the ego negatively impacts annual revenue. It also demonstrates how the ego gives leaders confidence to demonstrate their greatest strengths, however, these same strengths can become counterfeit weakenesses. When an organization invests in our greatest strengths, it also inherits the potential of the counterfeit weaknesses as well. What really got my attention is the statement toward the end of the first chapter which points out how "when the pervasive power of ego shakes, everything on our task list--the way we collaborate, think, decide, execute--shakes with it." How true this is. The book then goes on to objectively explore three core principles and how to ensure the ego is an asset. I really appreciated how the three core principles of egonomics and the "deep dive" into each one provided the reader clearer understanding of how to minimize the shaking of our own egos or to recogize when someone else's ego is shaking. This books is a good read for anyone who desires to have a continual positive impact on the organization and it's business results.
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