Is your ego getting in your way?
By Ray Baptiste
There was a time when I thought I had it all figured out. I had worked hard to build my career and was confident in my abilities. Confidence, though, slowly morphed into something else: ego. And as I’ve learned through some hard lessons, ego can be one of the biggest barriers to personal and professional growth. At first, having an ego didn’t seem like a bad thing. It drove me to push harder, take on challenges, and stand my ground. But over time, I noticed it creeping into places it didn’t belong. It clouded my judgment, made me resistant to feedback, and created a false sense of security. It stopped me from listening to others because I was convinced I knew the best way forward. And that’s where the real problem began.
So How Ego Can Get in the Way of Progression
1. Ego Prevents You from Learning
One of the biggest ways ego gets in the way of progression is by blocking you from learning. When you believe you’re the smartest person in the room, you stop being curious. You stop asking questions and become less open to new perspectives. I found myself avoiding situations where I might not have all the answers because it threatened the image I had built in my mind. But here’s the truth: learning never stops. No matter how much success you’ve had, there’s always room to grow, improve, and evolve. I realised that when I let my ego run the show, I was missing out on opportunities to learn from others. Whether it was through feedback, mentorship, or even mistakes, I was closing the door on valuable lessons because I didn’t want to admit I didn’t know it all.
2. Ego Makes You Defensive
My ego also made me defensive when I received feedback. Instead of seeing constructive criticism as a way to get better, I saw it as an attack. If someone pointed out a flaw or an area where I could improve, my first reaction was to defend myself or explain why they were wrong. This defensiveness held me back. I wasn’t able to genuinely reflect on my performance because I was too busy trying to protect my ego. But eventually, I learned that feedback is one of the most important tools for growth. It’s how you learn about your blind spots and where you need to improve. When you drop the ego, feedback becomes a gift instead of a threat.
3. Ego Isolates You
Another way ego can hinder progression is by isolating you. It pushes people away because it’s hard to build strong relationships when you’re always trying to prove that you’re right. My ego made it difficult for me to collaborate because I wasn’t willing to compromise or admit when someone else had a better idea. When I let go of my ego and started embracing teamwork and collaboration, I saw how much I could learn from others. Progress, I realised, isn’t always about being the star player—it’s about working together, learning from different perspectives, and achieving collective success.
4. Moving Forward Without Ego
The journey to overcoming my ego hasn’t been easy, but it’s been necessary. I’ve learned that letting go of ego doesn’t mean letting go of confidence. True confidence comes from recognising that you don’t have all the answers but are willing to learn, grow, and seek them out. When you move forward with humility and openness, progression becomes inevitable.
The ego can be a powerful force, but when left unchecked, it becomes a barrier to the very things that lead to success—learning, collaboration, and growth. The sooner we recognise it, the sooner we can step out of our own way and allow real progress to unfold.
Ray Baptiste - With over 30 years of recruitment experience, I’ve helped thousands of mid-career professionals and those over 50 find jobs that match their skills and passions. Whether you're just starting your search or fine-tuning your interview technique, I can provide the guidance you need to succeed.
If you're ready to take control of your job search and land your next role with confidence, I’m here to help. Contact me at ray@aionion.co.uk, or book a coaching session to start your journey toward your ideal career.
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