I was recently reminded of this when I encountered a situation that really challenged me to check my own.  One of those situations where you question someone's gall to doubt your brilliance.  One of those situations when you want to say, "Are you seriously talking to me about this?", or, "You clearly don't know who you're talking to?" 

The ego can make you say things that instantly change the energy of a conversation. Without the ability to change it back.  The ego can reveal weaknesses in you that you don't think you have. Whether you think you've exposed yourself or not.  The ego can not only ruin personal relationships but business relationships, as well.  Often, your ego can mistake innocent questions and responses for something they're not. 

So fight the need to put people in their place.  Push down the urge to make others recognize in you what they don't immediately see.  When you're able to check your ego and get it to the curb, your business relationships (and personal ones) will have room to rise past it and grow, rather than being weighted down and blocked by it.