Abstract
This article addresses a behavioral dichotomy that seems to be a prerequisite in proper leadership performance in today’s world, especially in organizational settings that cultivate a culture of wellness and reciprocal progress. While the involved concepts - ego and altruism - are generally familiar human traits, the need for a shift from one to the other once leadership has been attained, has not been discussed as such before. This article therefore aims to evoke within leaders the awareness of the need to shift their mindset, and therefore their behavior, from ego-driven to collective-focused once elevated into a leadership position. The content of this article was garnered through an introspective review, whereby the author reflected on internally and externally observed leadership experiences as a guiding factor toward substantiating or rectifying existing notions. Leadershift has thereby been interpreted as a phenomenon with egoism and altruism as the edges of the leadership continuum. What gets us into leadership is often not the same as what successfully keeps us there. Understanding the balance between the qualities that get us in the leadership position and the ones that will make us stay there - and do so in a satisfactory way - is a critical strategy in today’s leadership. This article emphasizes an intuitive contrast that will only become easier to implement as leadership experience mounts and mindfulness is maintained. It confronts leaders with the need to understand and be receptive to paradigm shifts and behavioral adjustments as they transition toward higher career echelons.
Recommended Citation
Marques, Joan F.
(2024)
"Leadershift Today: Balancing Ego and Altruism,"
The Journal of Values-Based Leadership: Vol. 17
:
Iss.
2
, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/1948-0733.1494
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol17/iss2/5
