“Don’t let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn’t go with it.” Colin Powell
This past week, I spent several days with some of the best leaders in business. They were speaking of their companies, families, dreams and personal aspirations. I observed common attributes they shared, the teams they had built, the successes achieved, their lofty goals and also what they wanted to contribute back to society. What I did not hear was a lot of self-aggrandizement about what they personally had accomplished. They talked more about the cultures they had helped create and foster. Now I don’t want you to think these folks don’t have healthy egos. They possess much self confidence, and it is based on knowing who they are and what they are capable of. They also know what they don’t know and are not afraid to surround themselves with executives who are better, smarter and faster.
Great leaders know the way, show the way, and go the way, while allowing their teams to take credit for all of the accomplishments.  I like this quote when talking about ego in leadership.
“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” Ann Landers
Weekly Wisdom by Jerry Rollins, CEO of Sage Executive Group