Egomanagement. Though I never heard of it in this particular way until I read about it on Leading Blog, it is something that I’m not altogether unfamiliar with. I think it to be crucial to a balanced life. I’ve been told to be too outspoken, too explainative (wordpress spelling check tells me this is not a word, but I’m sure you can get the hang of it), not aware enough of who I’m talking to. And no, I was not 100% able to receive these comments gracefully.

Now I’m sure two things are of importance in overcoming those flaws in my communication. And these two things are very close related. I would not be surprised if they stem from the same underlying quality. The first is humility, in an article on warning signs that our ego is getting the best of us, this is explained not to be the opposite of ego, but to be the result of a well balanced ego. The second is listening. I think I would be a better listener when I would be able to balance my ego. I think a balanced ego is a goal that cannot be approached directly. But I can imagine the listening skills so beautifully described by Brenda Ueland, to be a means to approach this ego balance:

I just tell myself to listen with affection to anyone who talks to me, to be in their shoes when they talk, to try to know them without my mind pressing against theirs, or arguing, or changing the subject.

My balancing skills might involuntarily improve while attempting to listen in this active, respectful manner.