What are your thoughts? I am curious because I am seeing the use of this term in posts often...
From United States, Daphne
From United States, Daphne
Dear Mr. Nikhil, Strong views and Ego are the two different ways. If people have no answer to our arguments they blaim our views as Ego. Regards,
From India, Meerut
From India, Meerut
I appreciate the question and would like to look at it from an organizational perspective.
I believe that having strong views can reflect knowledge, wisdom, and a definitive thought process in an individual. Such a person is likely to hold qualified views and express them confidently. However, it's important to note that a person with such pride may also be associated with ego, albeit for the right reasons.
Authority grants individuals the justification to hold even stronger views. Such individuals may be hesitant to retract or reconcile with others' viewpoints. This tendency is often rooted in the fear that withdrawing decisions or directives may be perceived as a sign of weakness on the part of the authority figure.
This is where the distinction between ego and egoism, as well as the presence of an egoist, becomes apparent. I have observed numerous instances where individuals in positions of authority persist with incorrect decisions simply due to the dread of potential humiliation if asked to retract those decisions.
While taking pride in oneself is not inherently negative, clinging stubbornly to one's mistakes in an attempt to preserve a false sense of self-worth, even at the expense of the organization's welfare, is detrimental. While ego per se may not be harmful, egoism can have adverse effects on both individuals and organizations.
I have witnessed organizations collapse when individuals possessing authority without accountability, coupled with egoism—a clear manifestation of an egoist—were at the helm.
Dr. Ulhas Ganu
From India, Mumbai
I believe that having strong views can reflect knowledge, wisdom, and a definitive thought process in an individual. Such a person is likely to hold qualified views and express them confidently. However, it's important to note that a person with such pride may also be associated with ego, albeit for the right reasons.
Authority grants individuals the justification to hold even stronger views. Such individuals may be hesitant to retract or reconcile with others' viewpoints. This tendency is often rooted in the fear that withdrawing decisions or directives may be perceived as a sign of weakness on the part of the authority figure.
This is where the distinction between ego and egoism, as well as the presence of an egoist, becomes apparent. I have observed numerous instances where individuals in positions of authority persist with incorrect decisions simply due to the dread of potential humiliation if asked to retract those decisions.
While taking pride in oneself is not inherently negative, clinging stubbornly to one's mistakes in an attempt to preserve a false sense of self-worth, even at the expense of the organization's welfare, is detrimental. While ego per se may not be harmful, egoism can have adverse effects on both individuals and organizations.
I have witnessed organizations collapse when individuals possessing authority without accountability, coupled with egoism—a clear manifestation of an egoist—were at the helm.
Dr. Ulhas Ganu
From India, Mumbai
Hello Nikhil S. Gurjar,
You raised an interesting query.
Like Dr. Ulhas Ganu mentioned, strong views come with knowledge—sometimes, sadly, with half-baked knowledge too.
Ego is absolutely different from 'strong views', yet linked to each other. Ego, to the extent I understand, has more to do with 'how one expresses' the strong views—not the content of what is being expressed/conveyed per se.
Let's assume I know a lot about a particular topic. I can share the info like I tell a movie story—plainly and simply; or I can gloat to one and all that I know this stuff—directly or indirectly pointing out that not many people know what I know; or focusing more on what the others don't know than what I know (akin to what Dr. Ulhas Ganu mentions about sticking to one's wrong decisions).
To the extent I understand human psychology, the III attitudinal response is a natural progression of the II type of response—something that develops even without the particular individual even realizing it, simply because no one attempted to point out the flaw earlier. And so he/she begins to assume that THAT attitude is the right way—and hell breaks loose if, after that stage, someone tries to point it out.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
You raised an interesting query.
Like Dr. Ulhas Ganu mentioned, strong views come with knowledge—sometimes, sadly, with half-baked knowledge too.
Ego is absolutely different from 'strong views', yet linked to each other. Ego, to the extent I understand, has more to do with 'how one expresses' the strong views—not the content of what is being expressed/conveyed per se.
Let's assume I know a lot about a particular topic. I can share the info like I tell a movie story—plainly and simply; or I can gloat to one and all that I know this stuff—directly or indirectly pointing out that not many people know what I know; or focusing more on what the others don't know than what I know (akin to what Dr. Ulhas Ganu mentions about sticking to one's wrong decisions).
To the extent I understand human psychology, the III attitudinal response is a natural progression of the II type of response—something that develops even without the particular individual even realizing it, simply because no one attempted to point out the flaw earlier. And so he/she begins to assume that THAT attitude is the right way—and hell breaks loose if, after that stage, someone tries to point it out.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Hello, Mr. Nikhil,
I believe that both the concepts of strong views and ego are entirely different yet interconnected. "Different" means that strong views and ego have nothing to do with each other. However, this difference depends on the way you express your views. Sometimes, people express their point of view in a manner that reflects their egoistic behavior. In this way, they are also interrelated.
Regards,
Maahi
From India
I believe that both the concepts of strong views and ego are entirely different yet interconnected. "Different" means that strong views and ego have nothing to do with each other. However, this difference depends on the way you express your views. Sometimes, people express their point of view in a manner that reflects their egoistic behavior. In this way, they are also interrelated.
Regards,
Maahi
From India
Greetings,
I second Sateesh. Being radical and oppressive comes with the territory in a business environment. I have seen very few leaders who earn 'buy-ins' not by pressure but by intellect; the rest rely on sheer brawn. Being open to suggestions is often viewed as a lack of preparedness combined with minimal knowledge. Consequently, protecting the 'turf' often leads to nasty ego fights.
I look forward to reading more views and experiences on this.
Regards,
(Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
I second Sateesh. Being radical and oppressive comes with the territory in a business environment. I have seen very few leaders who earn 'buy-ins' not by pressure but by intellect; the rest rely on sheer brawn. Being open to suggestions is often viewed as a lack of preparedness combined with minimal knowledge. Consequently, protecting the 'turf' often leads to nasty ego fights.
I look forward to reading more views and experiences on this.
Regards,
(Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
Strong views definitely represent ego as they project you as a hardliner. If you have more knowledge or better information, presenting it with clarity of thoughts is more desired than putting across strong views.
From India, Vadodara
From India, Vadodara
Interesting posts... How would one distinguish between the two? Is there an acid test?
Dr. Ulhas has raised an interesting point. If the person is not making wrong decisions, you would probably call them strong views?
Taj, the 'what others don't know' syndrome is different from wrong decisions... Did I misinterpret? Please let me know.
From United States, Daphne
Dr. Ulhas has raised an interesting point. If the person is not making wrong decisions, you would probably call them strong views?
Taj, the 'what others don't know' syndrome is different from wrong decisions... Did I misinterpret? Please let me know.
From United States, Daphne
If we look back in history, some of the rishis like Durwasa, Gautam, etc., had very extreme knowledge along with great ego. For very silly things, they cursed with horrible punishments. I think ego is a side effect of extreme knowledge, grand successes, and strong views. Only the words are different.
From India, Hyderabad
From India, Hyderabad
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