Welcome to the Impactful Engineering newsletter, where you’ll gain access to actionable tips, strategies, and the mindset for an exceptional career. Every newsletter you will learn a new skill, key mindset, or overall perspective that will empower you to reach your goals and increase your impact.

Understanding the Impact of Ego and Humility

“...being able to flex humility and ego simultaneously is one of the best ways to build trust. …people will trust that you will listen to their ideas and that you will take their inputs, but they also trust you to confidently make a decision.” - Steve Maxey, Episode 27

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Navigating Ego and Humility

Ego & Humility can be two opposing forces that when used intentionally together create harmony. This dance between having humility and letting ego run the show is how engineers can contribute to team dynamics, build trust, and create the business outcomes the whole company is looking for.

How many times have you been in that meeting where there is someone in full ego mode, never stops talking, and you have to interrupt them just to get a say? If you were engaged in a one-sided meeting where the only goal is to get information out to people, then that is OK. When the meeting’s purpose is for a discussion, then you have a problem. Thing is, sometimes we can think we have the only viable solution and that we have already thought about all of the things others would bring to the table, so we’re just gonna take over and do it our way and have no time or patience to listen to others.

This show of ego has its place. For instance, when you are relied upon to get that important design out that keeps the project moving forward. It must be done, now, and with confidence. But this ego fueled action also hinders your project when in a setting of brainstorming and team feedback. This is where humility comes in.

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Take Action: 👇

So the next time you think you have all the answers, take a step back and see what other people think and allow them to contribute. Your goal is not to hear their ideas and immediately shut them down, but to actually consider their perspective and gain insight into how they think, and why they may feel convicted in their contribution.
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There are certain positive outcomes that can be achieved:

1. Others will build their muscles around speaking up and having a voice. You want strong team members.
2. You will avoid the resentment that builds as you continually take over. You’ll avoid disengaged teams.
3. Your awareness of how others think will gain advantage in your leadership. When you do need someone, they will be there.
4. You just might very well learn something you didn’t know, and change your perspective.

The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engineers. But it doesn't stop there. What we talk about on this podcast applies to seasoned engineers as well.

The community that will be built from this project has the potential to change the lives of everyone who is a part of it. We sincerely hope to reach and help as many people as possible. Your participation will bring the project to life.