Practical Roles Of Ego In Team

Extracted from discussion from XpMailingList -- JeanMarcHeneman

(jmh) What can I do to get rid of my ego? ;-)

(RobertCecilMartin) *Value* your ego. There's nothing wrong with being proud of your work. It is that pride that makes your work worth doing, and keeps you motivated.

However, *shift* your pride to how well you can work with others and help them to produce good work. A lone star will never do much. A group of effective team players can shake the world.

(jmh) What can I do to help people to understand there is a thing called ego and it is not good in our team? ;-)

(RobertCecilMartin) Don't try to tell them that their ego is bad; it is not. Rather challenge them to improve their team skills. Help them to become proud of how well they play as a team.

Less seriously (but probably as important!):

(jmh) What can I do to get rid of my ego? ;-)

(RonJeffries) Prefrontal lobotomy or major Prozac. Neither recommended.

(jmh) What can I do to help people to understand there is a thing called ego and it is not good in our team? ;-)

(RonJeffries) Ego is good if used in support of the team. Consider killing a few of them as examples to the others.

Challenge ego if it can be good team player's ego.