The Look & Sound of Leadership Leading When Ego at the Top Is Unchecked
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Jan 8, 2026 Frustration brews when a chief officer grapples with an egomaniacal CEO. They discuss how to manage emotions and maintain professionalism without condoning poor behavior. Worrying is deemed unproductive, as clarity of perception and intentional actions are prioritized. Key questions emerge: 'Am I seeing them clearly?' and 'How do I want to show up?' A chessboard metaphor illustrates the importance of strategic responses in leadership, emphasizing accountability and the choice of reactions in a challenging work environment.
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Chief Officer Vs. Egotistical CEO
- Shankar accepted a chief officer role despite not respecting his CEO, Peter, and struggled with anger after Peter publicly berated a direct report.
- Coaching helped Shankar reframe Peter as the biggest chess piece, not a personal enemy, which eased his reactivity.
Choose How You Show Up
- You always get to choose how you show up, even when reporting to a boss you don't respect.
- Control what you can by deciding intentionally how you'll behave with that boss, your team, and peers.
Frame Feedback As A Business Case
- Make upward feedback a business case by describing the impact on speed, retention, or growth rather than attacking personality.
- Offer specific, business-focused behaviors the CEO could change to improve outcomes.
