Tom Cattarius, CEO of Arktisquelle and a trusted advisor in the water filtration industry and e-commerce sector.
We all want to feel important and valued by those around us. But in a business setting, that desire can quietly sabotage your decisions—especially when you’re trying to reach the next level of your career (or beyond).
Here’s how your ego might be holding you back without you even realizing it.
What Ego Really Is
Don’t get me wrong; being confident in business is crucial. Sales calls, conversations with employees and many other situations rely on confidence. But ego is something completely different.
Imagine walking into a meeting and presenting your ideas with confidence. So far, so good, right? But then a colleague, mentor or coach shares a better idea—one that you know, based on their track record, is worth considering.
Or let’s say you’ve been stuck at the same revenue level for five years. Suddenly, someone in your industry who started just three years ago is already ahead of you in revenue or profit.
Now, you have two choices: You can either let your ego justify why this person is different, why you have disadvantages or why it’s not fair. That’s the kind of ego I’m talking about—the one that holds you back.
Or you can take the harder but more productive path by setting aside those excuses and asking, “What can I learn from this person’s behavior and mindset?”
But here’s the catch: Ego is tricky. It’s easy to see in others, but in ourselves? Not so much.
How Ego Shows Up In Business
Here are some of the most common ways ego can slow your growth, along with how to recognize it in yourself.
Ignoring Feedback
You don’t have to act on every piece of feedback. But the inability to even listen to feedback—especially from people with more experience than you—is a red flag.
Taking More Credit Than You Give
When things go well, do you automatically take all the credit? Chances are, your ego is speaking louder than reality. Ask yourself, “How much of my progress is thanks to my team, mentors or partners?”
Avoiding Delegation Or Micromanaging
If you believe no one can do things as well as you, that’s your ego talking. Growth in business requires trust and letting go of control.
Refusing To Admit Mistakes
When something goes wrong, do you always blame external factors? Or can you say, “That one’s on me”?
The Consequences Of Letting Ego Lead
Letting ego drive your decisions will slowly erode your business and personal growth. Over time, this leads to:
• Damaged Relationships: Eventually, your best people will stop tolerating that behavior.
• Missed Opportunities: If the idea didn’t come from you, your ego might block it.
• Burnout: You’ll get frustrated more easily, feeling like you’re pushing against invisible walls.
I often ask myself, “How many entrepreneurs are stuck at the same revenue level for seven years or more—not because it’s impossible to grow, but because their brain is conditioned to believe that it’s normal or it’s ‘hard’ or they don’t need more?”
That mindset kills progress. When I catch myself thinking that way, I stop and say, “No—that’s my ego talking. I need to challenge that belief.”
How To Eliminate Ego In Business
Here are a few powerful ways to keep your ego in check:
• Practice radical self-awareness. Ask yourself, “Who in my age group or industry has already achieved what I want?” If someone else has done it, it’s possible for you, too.
• Seek feedback—from the right people. Don’t take advice from just anyone. Listen to those who have achieved what you want to achieve.
• Surround yourself with people who challenge you. Yes, it can feel uncomfortable to be the “smallest” in the room—in revenue, experience or net worth. But that’s exactly where growth happens.
• Learn to say “I was wrong.” It may sting at first, but it’s one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop.
Now it’s on you. Take some time to reflect and ask yourself, “Do I need to make any changes here?”
If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: Choose growth over being right. When you choose this path, everything shifts. You become more open, more coachable and more effective as a leader. Your team will trust you more because they see that you’re willing to learn and adapt. You’ll make better decisions based not on protecting your ego, but on what actually works. And over time, that mindset creates a compound effect: stronger relationships, smarter strategies and sustainable growth.
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