Echelon Front reposted this
President, Echelon Front | Co-Author of Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership | Student of Leadership
The biggest leadership lesson I've learned in combat, in business, and in life is this: BE HUMBLE OR GET HUMBLED. We all have an ego. Ego drives us to want to achieve a high standard, to outperform others, and push ourselves to achieve victory. But ego can be the most destructive force imaginable. Ego prevents us from learning and growing as leader and as a person when we think we are better than we are. Ego drives us to insist we are right, even when all measures indicate otherwise. Ego causes us to damage and destroy relationships, even with people who care deeply about us, as with people we depend on to help us accomplish our mission. Ego causes us to close our mind, thinking that we know better, instead of listening to others, seeking their inputs, and learning from their perspective. That's why, at Echelon Front, we believe the most important quality in a leader is humility. It's far easier to be the underdog than the reigning world champion or the industry leader. If things are going well, think about what you might be missing and where it could go wrong, so you can fight complacency and stay a step ahead of potential problems. So, keep your ego in check. Stay humble. Listen. Learn. Grow. Build relationships. And when you inevitably get humbled, use it as a learning opportunity. Take ownership and figure out what you can do better going forward. #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipguidance
So Leif Babin, you got humbled? Good.
Powerful insights, Leif. The balance of ego and humility is indeed one of the most challenging yet critical aspects of leadership. Ego can drive us to achieve, but unchecked, it blinds us to learning and collaboration—two cornerstones of long-term success. Staying humble ensures we keep listening, adapting, and evolving as leaders. I’ve seen firsthand in large-scale operations how humility fosters stronger teams, builds trust, and fuels innovation. Thank you for the reminder that growth begins when we set ego aside and commit to continuous learning.
Your ego is never your amigo.
Thank you.
Great advice
Well said Leif Babin! In this age of AI and Innovation we must be humble in order to get out in front of the competition.
Amen. Be Humble.
Love this Leif! Yet, so often it's the arrogant ones that seem to be the alphas in the group. The ones that people look to as the leaders. Really like this twist on things.
A great reminder that humility is key to leadership. Ego blocks growth, but staying humble helps us listen, learn, and build stronger relationships. 🤝 Thank you for sharing! Leif Babin 👏 #LeadershipWisdom
Veteran Hiring Solutions CEO | Every Interaction is an Interview
2dGreat post, Leif! We use the term 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at Veteran Hiring Solutions. It is ok to be ambitious, but you need to stay grounded while doing so. Investing in yourself to be a better person while also executing a growth plan for your career is what top performers do. But thinking you are better than someone is a quick way to lose the war in the long run. Good luck out there!