Leadership in Balance

One of my favorite exercises for evaluating leadership effectiveness is the Ego vs Result vs Relationship framework, shared with me by Andrew Neitlich. The premise is that a balanced and successful leader will be aware of three core components: Their ego, the results they achieve, and the state of their professional relationships. When one element is over- or under-weighted, a strong leader not only can identify the imbalance but work to adjust it.

Let’s start with what each component “in balance” might look like.

The ego is balanced when it represents a healthy sense of self that provides confidence, drives you to achieve your goals, and fosters resilience. When the ego is balanced amid the other components, you can navigate challenges and build meaning in your life based on your value set.

The definition of results in this case is the ability to meet the goals and objectives of a given situation. A healthy balance of results among the other components would support the outcome you’re seeking without damaging yourself or others in the process.

Finally, relationships refer to the way in which two or more people are connected, or the very state of being connected. A balance in your professional relationships is considering your impact on others in your decision-making and acting with respect for the needs of the people around you.

There is no inherent good or bad in these components, only an awareness of and willingness to adjust any harmful outcomes you are creating. In fact, occasionally you might intentionally inflate or minimize the prominence of a given component to supercharge your overall effectiveness – but more on that in future posts.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• Am I prioritizing my own desires above those of the business or the teams around me? Or am I diminishing my own ideas and capabilities too much?

  
  

• Is my approach negatively affecting my relationships with my colleagues, managers or direct reports? Or am I overemphasizing being liked instead of being effective?

  
  

• Am I prone to prioritizing business results above everything or everyone else, on a regular basis?

Based on your answers above, evaluate whether there may be unintended consequences that are affecting how you show up as a leader. Could your professional outcomes be better with an adjusted approach? What is one thing you could try today to reestablish balance and see what changes?

If this framework resonates with you, or you have additional thoughts on the topic, tell me about it!