Pakistan Viral Cricket Decision Explains Office Ego Politics Perfectly
In the corporate world, many capable professionals unknowingly pay a heavy price for their ego. A moment of anger, a silent protest, or an emotional decision of...
Avinash Chate - Corporate Coach at annual leadership conference The Hidden Ego Tax at Work: What a Viral Cricket Decision Teaches Us About Career Growth In the corporate world, I have seen one pattern repeat itself across roles, industries, and leadership levels: talented people do not always lose because of lack of skill. Very often, they lose because of ego-driven decisions that feel emotionally correct in the moment but become professionally expensive later. The biggest cost of ego is rarely immediate. It appears slowly as lost trust, delayed growth, broken communication, and missed opportunities. That is what I call the ego tax . You may not see it on a payslip, but you pay for it in your career. Watch on YouTube → A recent cricket incident went viral because it was not just about sport. It reflected a human pattern we see every day in offices. One emotional decision, one symbolic reaction, one moment of “I will show them” can create consequences far bigger than the original issue. In cricket, the public sees drama. In the workplace, the same behavior hides behind silence, delayed replies, passive resistance, defensive meetings, and relationship damage. As Avinash Chate , a TEDx speaker and author of The Winning Edge , I have worked with leaders and teams across 15+ years , and this lesson is universal: when ego takes control, performance starts leaking. What Is Ego Tax in the Workplace? Ego tax is the invisible price we pay when our need to protect pride becomes stronger than our commitment to results. It is not always loud. In fact, many ego decisions look respectable from the outside. Someone says, “I am just maintaining my self-respect.” Another says, “Why should I message first?” A manager says, “Let them realize my value.” A team member says, “If they do not appreciate me, I will do only what is asked.” All of these may sound justified. But if the real driver is wounded ego rather than thoughtful judgment, the cost begins to build. Here is how ego tax shows up at work: You stop sharing ideas because one suggestion was ignored. You avoid collaboration because someone challenged you in a meeting. You delay a response to prove a point. You reject feedback because it hurts your identity. You make a symbolic stand that weakens your long-term influence. The tragedy is simple: ego promises dignity, but often delivers distance. Why the Cricket Incident Feels So Familiar in Corporate Life What made that cricket moment so powerful was not the event itself. It was the psychology behind it. We all recognized the emotional logic. Someone felt wronged. A reaction followed. The reaction may have looked strong, principled, or dramatic. But the deeper question is this: did it improve the outcome? That same question belongs in every boardroom, every team huddle, and every performance review. In organizations, people often confuse emotional satisfaction with strategic success. They think, “At least I made my point.” But making your point and making progre…
← Back to all articles · Book Avinash Chate
By Avinash Chate — Maharashtra's #1 Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker. Published 2026-03-27.