The Ego is never enough
I had the good fortune of being on placement with a small not-for-profit on the NSW south coast. An outlier in many respects to the not-for-profits, consulting firms and academic institutions I worked with over the years as a media consultant.
As a budding psychotherapist I could see this place had something special. Others, too, could see the magic in this not-for-profit that took care of vulnerable adolescents and women. But many, including its parent company CEO, couldn’t put a finger on what it was that made this place sing.
There are probably a few explanations for this not-for-profit’s success, and I think Eckhart Tolle comes close in his explanation of the ego and its role in our work places and personal lives.
Tolle says: “Those who are exceptionally good at what they do may be completely or largely free of ego … They may not know it, but their work has become a spiritual practice” (Tolle, 2018, p.121)*.
He says these people work “without any self-seeking” praise, and influence others far beyond the scope of their job, even “bringing about a lessening of the ego in everyone who comes into contact with them” (Tolle, 2018, p.122). And they are successful in what they do.
Conversely, other people who might be good at what they do are sabotaged by their ego which “demands personal recognition” and where they are “never enough” (Tolle, 2018, p.122).
An unchecked ego can play havoc for a person or an organisation, where negative thoughts, control and sometimes violence such as bullying play out.
Often it’s supporting people to become aware of their behaviour and how they affect those around them. In some cases, it’s deep healing work of unrealised wounds and trauma in their personal lives.
I often wonder what our world would be like if all our workplaces, schools and government organisations operated from this magical place.
*Tolle, E (2018). A New Earth: Create a better life. Penguin Books.
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