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Is Your Ego Getting in the Way of Your Small Business’s Success?

By
Real Estate Agent with Maricopa Real Estate Co BR645115000

 Let’s talk about 5 ways in which our Ego can get in the way of our business’s success

 

Do you hate the word ego? I know some of you may have even cringed when I said your ego might get in the way of your business. I know I would have.  After all, don’t we like to think that we are above that type of behavior?

I know for me personally, when I haven’t checked my ego at the door, it absolutely has cost me money in my businesses.

Let’s face it, many of us are good at what we do, and when we are good at what we do, we tend to take a lot of crap from folks that we think we know a lot. I know I do. However, I always respond that it isn’t that I think I know it all, I just happen to know a lot. Maybe you have this same experience. This thinking however, causes us to be over confident at times and therefore we don’t see things we should.

It might seem wrong to think that your Ego is causing your business to fail. Now, it might not be causing it to fail, but it might be causing your business not to grow or to be losing sales or profits.

 

Let’s talk about 5 ways in which our Ego can get in the way of our business’s success

 

No one knows our business like we know our business

Let’s face it. We live, eat and breathe or business. We know it like the back of our hand and feel there is little that we can learn at times from others. The bigger the top producer you are, the bigger our ego tends to get. Due to this, we aren’t too keen of taking advice or input from those that don’t do the type of volume we do.

 

We treat our business like our child and we are very protected

We have worked hard for the business we have built. Like a momma bear or a papa bear, we are very protective of what we have created. So even when we know the advice is correct and on target, we still defend our business model or how we do things. Great advice being ignored out of our protection mode.

 

Because we live it day in and day out we know every little thing in our business

How often do you have a quick response when asked about your business? If you are like most, I bet you toss out the best educated guess you have. Think about how many times you were way off later? Your confidence once again getting in the way.

 

 We feel we know enough to get by and don’t

Yes, we are good at what we do but we are what is called unconscious incompetents. Basically, we don’t know what we don’t know. Since we know quite a bit, we stop seeking new knowledge. That is, until we discover something we didn’t know on our own. Then suddenly we are diving in like crazy to learn more.

This one always seems to open my eyes when I’m studying others and their success. They will say something or do something and I’m flabbergasted that I had never thought of that before. Such a no brainier.

 

We are so busy making a living, we don’t take the time to grow as a leader and business owner

I’m a firm believer that I can learn from other people’s mistakes and failures. I think this has played a huge role in my successes. I even talked about this in a previous post. I watch others and when I see them try something that works, I’m taking notes. When they do something that blows up in their face I also take a note. 

When we are successful, we tend to not carve out that time for ongoing education or learning to grow. I know many of you are firm believers in learning from others. After all, that is one of the key benefits of Activerain.

 

Don’t let your ego get in the way of your success. Even if you don’t think you ever would, look for these 5 warning signs. You might be accidently doing it.

 

If interested, here is the podcast episode I did for local small business owners, like you, on this very subject.

 

Have a great week!

 

 Tammy

 

Posted by

-- ~~~~ 

Tammy Adams
Realtor®, Associate Broker, GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), ABR® (Accredited Buyer's Representative), ePro

A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa – Go Local!

 
The Maricopa Real Estate Company

21300 N. John Wayne Pkwy # 101, Maricopa, AZ 85139 
Cell: 520-233-8125  / 
Fax: (855) 271-7004

Email: tammyadams@tadams4u.com

Website: SellMyMaricopaHome.com

  

 

~~ 

ARE YOU A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNER?

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Listen on the LocalSmallBusinessCoach.com website or your favorite podcast app

~

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Show All Comments Sort:
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Good morning Tammy, we must make a point of checking in with our egos on a regular basis if we're looking to grow personally or professionally. Well deserved feature!

Nov 03, 2016 01:15 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Great post & I think that some of my peers just stop growing & the 'know it all' takes over. Problem is, when you don't keep up - your getting behind.

I like learning new things & like to spend a certain amount of time a week doing so. If I hear one more time from my office mates 'we don't learn as fast as you do I'll scream'. They don't try anything new at all.

Nov 03, 2016 09:58 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Ego has nothing to do with being successful in business, you could have an ego, superior or not and still be stupid. Superior knowledge, confidence, application to circumstances with solution analysis and implementation are IMO keys to success while implementing your business plan.  

When an opportunity arises, will you qualify it's potential according to your business plan or simply accept the opportunity and earn cash flow?  Ego has nothing to do with a business decision to reject opportunities that do not meet your criteria. 

Nov 03, 2016 10:01 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

Excellent points!

Nov 04, 2016 12:21 PM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Great advice!!!

I can learn from other people’s mistakes and failures. I think this has played a huge role in my successes

Nov 03, 2016 09:14 PM
William McClain
London Foster - Miami Beach, FL
Your South Florida Waterfront Specialist!

Interesting Article! I definitely agree that there is always room to learn something new and we should always keep an eye out for new opportunities and ways to enhance our business.

At the same time- I also know that what works for someone else doesn't always work for me- so it really becomes critical to "know your business and your style" so you can focus on trying things that can work and avoiding advice that is not aligned with your style or business model.

I always seek to improve but am careful not to "try and be somebody else" as it is a sure fire way to fail.

Nov 04, 2016 11:55 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have won out in multiple offer situations because of the other agents ego

Nov 05, 2016 03:39 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Congratulations on the well deserved feature post. Thank you for the post.

Nov 05, 2016 09:46 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                               Thank you Tammy Adams ~ Realtor Maricopa, AZ 

Nov 05, 2016 10:36 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

ah, you are a sweetheart!

Nov 05, 2016 02:17 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Tammy, this is an excellent article. We should learn to leave our egos at the door. Congrats on a well deserved feature.

Nov 05, 2016 01:07 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

thank you   :-)

Nov 05, 2016 02:17 PM
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Tammy Adams ~ Realtor Maricopa, AZ what a great post....right on target....this is an ego oriented business, and many egos are on the run... they never stop....they just run harder and stronger....while they are catching up with those egos, business fizzles.... 

Nov 05, 2016 09:04 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

You ar right about that. I've been amazed how many egos really have no knowledge to back it up too!

Nov 06, 2016 05:02 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

what a wonderful kick in the pants for all of us - we know "so much" but we have even more to learn every day! 

Nov 05, 2016 10:10 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

We all should be lifelong learners!

Nov 06, 2016 05:01 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Tammy. This is terrific and I think you are right. Ego is a powerful tool for good but can get in the way.

Nov 05, 2016 11:07 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

It sneaks up on us that's for sure

Nov 06, 2016 05:01 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post! I can see why Kathy chose to highlight it this week!

Nov 05, 2016 11:25 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

Thanks for coming by!

Nov 06, 2016 05:00 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

When I was young a common answer to most qestions was "I know!" Thankfully it wasn't too long before growing out of that phase. Great post Tammy!

Nov 06, 2016 12:09 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

Isn't it funny how much we thought we knew back then and kids to now? LOL

Nov 06, 2016 05:00 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

So many of us suffer from egotism and it can be really ugly.  I am much more comfortable with people who ask the questions than with those who think they have all the answers.  Good post and glad that Kathy Streib shared it!

Nov 06, 2016 01:23 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

Thanks!

Nov 06, 2016 05:00 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Tammy, checking egos with the hatcheck person is always a good idea - then lost the claim slip.

Nov 06, 2016 02:38 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

You are right there!

Nov 06, 2016 04:59 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You just reminded me of an incident years ago, when I was an agent. Several local offices went together and rented the tapes for continuing education. I forget how many there were, but we met at different homes over the course of a few weeks to view and discuss the tapes. One broker came to the first meeting and declared that he didn't need to view the rest - he already knew all that information. 

Guess who flunked the test? 

Nov 06, 2016 03:04 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster

That is funny. Ego was so big he couldn't get through the door. LOL

Nov 06, 2016 04:59 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Tammy

Went we can keep our ego in check . . . . our business will move in the right direction.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Nov 06, 2016 11:54 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Good Morning, Tammy Adams ~ Realtor Maricopa, AZ - this should all be on page 1 of Ethics for every single agent. Congratulations on the feature!!!

Nov 06, 2016 11:48 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Tammy

Vegas Bob almost missed this wonderful post, congrats on the gold star from The Gods at ActiveRain and your post has been featured to the group:

FRIENDS AT ACTIVERAIN

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Nov 11, 2016 08:01 AM