Which statement about ego in leadership best reflects the authors' view?

• A. Leaders should always display ego to prove themselves
• B. Leaders should avoid ego and humility is unnecessary
• C. Leaders should not gloat or revel in position but must develop trust that they will exercise good judgment, stay calm, and decide well under pressure
• D. Leadership requires ignoring team input

Answer: (C)

Focusing on ego means leaders manage their own bearing in a way that builds trust and steadiness under pressure. The best statement captures the balance: a leader should not gloat or revel in position, but should earn trust by showing they will exercise good judgment, stay calm, and make sound decisions when things get tough. This sets a tone of reliability and accountability, which people follow even in high-stress moments.

Arrogant displays or proving oneself at every turn undermines trust and can cloud judgment, which is why the other options don’t fit. Ignoring input from the team also erodes trust and weakens decision quality, whereas humility paired with composed leadership and solid judgment fosters collaboration and confidence in the leader’s decisions.