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Ego, Insecurity, and Control: The Silent Killers of Leadership

Author

Ikechukwu Okoh
May 05, 2025

The Day My Leadership Almost Fell Apart

I still remember the tension in the room.

I was chairing a meeting, and someone on my team openly challenged one of my decisions.

I felt my chest tighten, my voice rise, and my instinct fire up:

Shut this down fast.

But something stopped me.
I realised in that split second that my reaction was not about protecting the organisation.

It was about protecting my ego.

That moment became one of the most powerful lessons of my career.

Because here’s the truth:

It’s not external forces that most often sabotage leadership.

It’s the silent killers from within.

Ego, insecurity and control.

They erode trust, choke innovation, and exhaust teams.

Today’s newsletter dives into how you can spot these traps in yourself, address them, and become a leader known not for dominance but for wisdom, humility, and strength.

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Ikechukwu Okoh

Founder of Leadership Pulse

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