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In this episode, Meg and Jill unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in leadership and personal growth: ego.

Rather than treating ego as something to eliminate or shame, they explore ego as a natural part of being human. The real issue is not having an ego, but letting it lead unconsciously. Through grounded examples from leadership, corporate culture, family life, and identity, they show how unchecked ego quietly erodes trust, safety, and connection.

The conversation moves from theory into lived experience, highlighting how ego often shows up as defensiveness, image protection, narrative control, and fear of not being enough. Instead of judging these patterns, Meg and Jill invite curiosity, compassion, and responsibility as the path forward.

We explore:

• Why ego itself is not bad or wrong

• Ego as a protective function rooted in safety and identity

• The difference between having an ego and being led by it

• How ego shows up in leadership as optics, control, and narrative management

• Why ego driven leadership destroys trust and psychological safety

• The role of unconscious fear and not enoughness

• Ego as a signal rather than a driver

• Awareness and curiosity as the turning point

• How ego fueled decisions fracture relationships and culture

• Why truth builds more trust than image management

• Compassion without excusing harmful behavior

• Calling leaders forward without shame

• How ego impacts families, teams, and organizations

• Choosing aligned action instead of default reactions

This episode is reflective, honest, and deeply human. It is especially supportive for leaders, founders, and individuals who want to take responsibility for their impact without turning self awareness into self attack.

Powerful Quotes from This Episode

“Ego is not the enemy. Letting ego lead is.”

“Every human has an ego. Awareness is the difference.”

“When ego leads, image matters more than truth.”

“Unchecked ego creates cultures of fear and mistrust.”

“Compassion does not mean avoiding responsibility.”

“You can acknowledge ego without letting it drive.”

“Leadership requires awareness, not perfection.”

“Truth builds trust faster than optics ever will.”

We Would Love to Connect With You

Your reflections, questions, and lived experiences mean so much to us.

If this episode resonates, please share it, leave a review, or reach out.

Connect with Jillian

Website: https://trellissuite.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-pezet-trellis/

Email: jillianp@trellissuite.com

Connect with Meg

Website: www.profoundwellness.net

Email: meg@profoundwellness.net

Facebook: facebook.com/megan.fikse

Instagram: instagram.com/m.laidlaw

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