Participación. Elementos de la comunicación. Ego

Ego —  What is it? What is its function?

1. Self-defense mechanism: fight or flight.
2. Attempts to take the best possible decision for our own comfort and physical integrity,
   according to the effort performed.
3. By default, the ego looks for stability, preservation, NO RISKS, no creativity, not adaptation to new enviroments (warning!!!)

1. Pluses:
   1. We take calculated risks.
   2. It encourages us to work in groups
      to obtain social relevance.
2. Minuses:
   1. It’s the number one enemy of good leadership.
   2. While it gives a feeling of being protected,
      it is detrimental on ourselves,
      and throws people off.
3. What can we do with the ego?
   It won’t go away, but at least we can “turn it down.”
   Difficult,we know. Most of people don’t see themselves.
   One idea: very small groups. More than six, it is a suicide to your project.

Ego — How to manage it and make sure it becomes beneficial?

1. At the individual level:
   1. Take him/her a little away from his/her comfort zone, so s/he expands that area.
   2. Observation, meditation,
      awareness (speak nice, listen two or three).
   3. The group or organisation should help the person that is not aware of the effects of his/her ego.
      It may be a bit painful short term.
2. At group level:
   1. Use group tools so the ego
      doesn’t feel threatened and overreact.
   2. Divide into smaller groups (4 or 5 people).
   3. Separate people according to their thinking type.