Introduction

The Eight Ego Traps

Getting the truth from others when you are in a position of power is tough. It’s a tale as old as “The Emperor’s New Clothes”: No one wanted to tell the emperor he was naked, and no one wants to tell the CEO he might be wrong. Whatever the nature of the feedback for the leader, if it’s not purely positive, colleagues, employees, and peers may hesitate to offer it. That lack of candor can quickly lead to trouble: today, tomorrow, or in a few months’ time.

No matter how open minded or easy to talk to you may be, having a top executive role requires that you use diligent, mindful effort to stay grounded and in touch with how the decisions you make effect the people on the assembly line making widgets for you every ...

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