Ego and the Office

We all pack things for work: a laptop, a snack, a badge we forget in the car at least once a week. Or we grab a mug of coffee, put a business shirt on with pajama bottoms before logging on to our virtual office. But one thing you should definitely leave behind when you head into the office? Your ego.

A healthy amount of self-confidence is a good thing. Believing in your skills, advocating for your ideas, and respecting your work are all essential. But dragging your ego into every meeting like it’s an emotional support cat? That’s where things go sideways.

Ego can make good employees hard to work with. It can make feedback feel like a personal attack, turn teamwork into a competition, and convert small workplace victories into grand solo parades. And in government work, where collaboration, patience, and mission-driven focus are key, unchecked ego is about as helpful as a stapler with no staples.

Here are a few tips to keep your ego from running the show:

• Listen like you’re not the smartest person in the room. Even if you secretly suspect you are. Stay curious. Ask questions. Nod thoughtfully. You might learn something.
• Focus on the mission, not your personal documentary. Remember, public service isn’t about starring in your own workplace documentary called “The Unsung Hero: My Story.” It’s about making things better for others, even when nobody’s rolling credits at the end of the day.
• Give credit like you’re Oprah. “You get credit! You get credit! Everybody gets credit!” Sharing the spotlight builds stronger teams and keeps you from looking like you think you invented teamwork.
• Stay coachable. Nobody has a degree from “Knows Everything” University. Be open to feedback, even if it’s delivered in less-than-perfect packaging. Growth isn’t always glamorous, but it’s worth it.

Workplaces thrive when people bring their skills and not their egos. Trust builds faster, solutions come easier, and meetings become slightly less painful (OK, slightly). When employees feel safe to contribute without fear of judgment or rivalry, innovation and engagement soar.

Leaving your ego at home doesn’t mean shrinking or pretending you don’t have great ideas. You will gain respect naturally, through your work, your attitude, and your willingness to lift others up along the way.

As Marcus Aurelius wisely put it: “Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” — Meditations, 8.33

Translation? Don’t let your ego ride shotgun to work. When we show up without ego, ready to listen, contribute, and learn we make room for better ideas, stronger teams, and less drama. Ego wants to win. Service wants to build.

So tomorrow morning, when you grab your badge, coffee, and whatever paperwork you forgot yesterday, take a moment. Look your ego in the eye, thank it for its enthusiasm, and leave it at home. You’ll both be better off for it.

Sandra Sharp works for the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the State as a Model Employer (SAME) Development Specialist. She has worked in state government for over ten years, including working for the Colorado Department of Corrections as a teacher. She has recently served as Board Member for the Denver Metro Cultural Committee and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Denver. Sandra has the heart of a Public Servant.

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