On the road to success, a person evolves and changes. Sometimes this is for the best. Sometimes this change happens for the worst. Success might get into their heads and ego starts playing its role.
Ego—a word commonly accused to have destroyed relationships and people—is important to have in small quantities. Knowing our worth, to have self-respect and self-esteem are essential for an individual. However, an inflated ego does more damage than good.
Here are five consequences of having a big ego:
1. Meaningless Connections
Understanding and trust build meaningful relationships. An egoistic person would dominate conversations, demean the other person, and would be self-absorbed without listening, seeing or accepting the other for who they are. Their connection would just be to establish their supremacy. But, in reality, connections made between two people will help them share, grow, and help each other.
2. Unfulfilling Relationships
Egoistic people have unfulfilling relationships. They can be disrespectful and rude. Dissatisfaction with the other person without a valid reason can create tension in the relationship. Unfortunately, they can always believe they’re always right or perfect which may lead them to value their ego more than their relationships. This will turn the relationship toxic. However, a relationship should be nurturing and understanding. Ego can, thus, ruin relationships.
3. Hindrance to Personal and Professional Growth
A person can only grow when they realize their flaws, personally or professionally. No one is perfect. We spend our lives trying to become the best versions of ourselves. We fail and then learn from our failures on how to succeed. A person with a huge ego will be unable to perceive their flaws and mistakes. He/she may blame another for their shortcomings. Thus, their ego will be a hindrance to their growth in life, in their career, and even their growth as a person.
4. Lack of Subordination
Inspiring and motivating subordinates to work diligently are the marks of a true leader. Egoistic individuals usually lack this quality. They won’t be able to encourage others if they can’t accept that everyone has their flaws. Ego usually blinds them to believe that they are perfect individuals, thus, making them expect others to be as well. If they fail to meet their expectations, they demean them. This leads to insubordination. People would be hesitant to work with them or worse they’d resent them. Without people to support your growth, there is only so far you can go.
5. Stress and Loneliness
Ego not only makes you think you’re perfect, but it also makes you want to act perfect. You can’t afford to make mistakes even with yourself. To have the expectation of perfection in everything you do every time puts immense pressure on you, eventually leading to unmanageable stress. This stress isolates a person from the people around them, thus, leading to loneliness. Stress and loneliness are a dangerous combination.
Ego can either be a tool to greatness and destruction according to how you wield it. Ego in the right amount helps build your doorway to success. Too much of it destroys the work you’ve done so far. The cost of a big ego is huge. It is better to cut it off before it grows too tall. Love, humility, and understanding will take you ahead in life. Build meaningful relationships and lead a positive life. Success will follow.