Instaread (Firm) - Summary of Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday: includes Analysis

Summary of

Ego Is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday

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This is a summary with analysis.

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Table of Contents

Ego Is the Enemy is Ryan Holidays attack on the role that ego can play in the lives of most people. Holiday does not use the term ego in the traditional Freudian sense but rather as a synonym for excessive self-regard, or egotism. Thanks to the Internet and social media, having an inflated ego is now more encouraged in Western society than ever before. Nevertheless, learning how to cultivate an authentic sense of oneself and ones abilities is vital for living gracefully and achieving ones goals.

Although history is populated by famous and even notorious egomaniacs, the most influential and successful people were more often those who focused on their lifes work with humility and dedication. Compare, for example, the outsized ego of Napoleon, whose grandiose imperial ambitions ended in shame and exile, with the character of American general William Tecumseh Sherman. After retiring from the military, he refused to run for president, and he never allowed his past victories to swell his self-importance. Ultimately, Napoleon accomplished little in terms of creating an enduring European empire and was the cause of tremendous loss of life. Sherman, on the other hand, was instrumental to the Unions victory in the US Civil War.

Anyone can learn to manage their inflated self-worth and develop a realistic self-image. One of the most successful strategies for doing so is to become a student either by dedicating oneself to self-guided study or by seeking a teacher or mentor. Ego-driven people shun learning opportunities: They prefer instead to rely on their own views and opinions and refuse to acknowledge room for personal growth or improvement. Devoting oneself to lifelong learning and realizing that true mastery is never complete is one path to a more realistic self-assessment.

Ego is universally dangerous, no matter whether a person is just starting an ambitious career ascent or has already conquered their industry. In fact, the more success a person has achieved, the more potential damage an inflated ego can inflict. Managing this flaw by regaining humility can be essential to building and maintaining personal and professional successes with grace and fortitude.

Ryan Holiday is the author of Ego Is the Enemy as well as several other books on media strategy including Trust Me, Im Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator (2013), Growth Hacker Marketing (2014), and The Obstacle Is the Way (2014). He was the director of marketing at American Apparel and is a thought leader on public relations and business strategy.

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was a brilliant general during the American Civil War who later refused to run for president in a show of duty over self-importance.

Kirk Hammett is the lead guitarist for the band Metallica. Even after he was given a place in the band, he took guitar lessons to further his already prodigious mastery. By being humble enough to remain a student, he helped bring the band to new heights.

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was the first black player in Major League Baseball. He is a prime example of a person who did not allow his ego to get in the way of success; he showed restraint even in the face of racism and adversity.

Genghis Khan (1162-1227) was one of the most successful conquerors of all time because of his ability to learn from the cultures he defeated.

Katharine Graham (1917-2001) inherited the leadership of the Washington Post in 1963 and led the paper through tumultuous times. By refusing to give in to criticism and failure, Graham was able to lead the company to prosperity and success.

1. Throughout history, the most influential people have been those who have placed the importance of advancing their fields above their need for fame and accolades.
2. A persons biggest challenge to overcomeno matter their profession or role in societyis their own ego.
3. The most creative thinkers are often the most plagued by egotism.
4. Ego does not allow people to cultivate an honest and realistic assessment of their own abilities.
5. Due to the illusions of instant fame and recognition offered by social media, ego has never been more encouraged than it is in contemporary Western society.
6. Anyone can learn to manage their ego.
7. Once success is achieved, a person should not indulge in feelings of superiority.
8. Failure can be the hardest on people who cannot check their ego. People with controlled egos avoid internalizing failure and are therefore best equipped to handle it.

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Throughout history, the most influential people have been those who have placed the importance of advancing their fields above their need for fame and accolades.

Analysis

When people are motivated primarily by a desire for praise and recognition, they can rarely achieve great heights in their work. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Maine and Baylor University, humble people tend to make better employers than self-promoters. This finding is true even as it would appear that the modern workplace rewards those who are most vocal about their accomplishments. [1]

In his 2013 TED talk, behavioral economist Dan Ariely examined the chief motivators for inspiring people to work hard. He found that increased praise and pay were less powerful motivators than providing sense of meaning, a feeling of ownership, and a desire to overcome a challenge. [2] Thus, people who believe that their journey to personal greatness is sufficient reason to get to work may be less likely to work hard than those who find meaning in their efforts or are excited by a challenge.

A persons biggest challenge to overcomeno matter their profession or role in societyis their own ego.

Analysis

Ego usually prevents people from being self-critical enough to produce important societal contributions because an overinflated sense of self-worth prevents egotistical people from connecting truthfully and meaningfully with the world and their place in it.