Why You Need to Stop Fighting Arrogance
Arrogance is a beast that never tires, never stops, and can’t be defeated. It never compromises.
Arrogance never cohabitates with your best self.
Arrogance is an enemy that dilutes the joys of life and degrades the value of others.
Arrogance tells you:
- You’re right when you’re wrong.
- Talk when you should shut-up.
- Others aren’t serving you enough.
- Feel threatened when others shine.
- You are special, better-than.
Defensiveness is arrogance.
Feeling neglected is usually arrogance asking, “What about me?”
The worst thing you can do is try to defeat arrogance.
Don’t fight arrogance:
Arrogance enjoys your resistance. It taunts you into a fight and smiles when you raise your sword.
Everyone who fights arrogance is a noble fool.
The moment you raise your sword against arrogance is the moment of defeat because the fight against arrogance makes you arrogant.
The belief that arrogance can be defeated is the deadliest arrogance of all.
Practice humility:
You can’t defeat arrogance, but you can practice humility. Even here we are in peril because arrogance cheers when you notice how humble you are.
#1. Remember shoulders.
You practice humility by acknowledging and appreciating the shoulders you stand on. I read that Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
Practice humility by sending an email to someone who helped you get where you are today. Better yet, give them a call.
#2. Explore ideas.
Arrogance knows. Humility learns.
The best ideas to explore belong to someone else, a person down in the trenches, for example.
#3. Be curious about people.
Arrogance talks about itself. Humility learns about others. Record everything you learn about people everyday for a week.
Humility is never fully attained and arrogance is never fully defeated.
What practices nudge leaders toward humility?
Read this just as I was feeling indignant at some OSHA regulations! Noticed my arrogance big time. As I launch my new business and transition from employee to boss, it’s a great reminder to know that I really do stand on the shoulders of giants. Thanks again, Dan Rockwell!
Thanks Mimi. Government regulations can bring out the worst in us. I wish you well as you move from employee to boss. I bet there’s a crowd of people that want you to thrive.
Your blogs are always excellent – this one is particularly powerful – lots to unpack and think about! Thank you!!
Thank you Anne. It’s a pleasure to give you something to think about.
This is an incredible post – thank you so much for sharing these thoughts.
Those first five points that arrogance tells you stung – got a little to close to home. “You’re right when you’re wrong. / Talk when you should shut-up. / Others aren’t serving you enough. / Feel threatened when others shine. / You are special, better-than.”
Thanks Travis. They sting me too. 🙂 Cheers
Arrogance disguises itself as confidence. Arrogance affects your hearing. When a correction comes, it distorts what is said to be fingernails on a blackboard. Arrogant people don’t listen when humility talks. Arrogant people are uncomfortable around humble people, requiring them to be silent and “keep the peace.”
Thanks Anthony. “Arrogance disguises itself as confidence.” Boom! Thanks for you insights.
Always appreciate your thoughts Dan
Great nuggets of wisdom! Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks Tee. Best wishes.
Found your article from May 2018 with this story. “In my twenties an elderly gentleman complimented me on my choice of clothing. I gave him a short lesson on style. I’m embarrassed by that today. Humility says thank you. Arrogance gives a lesson.”
I have been guilty of this myself. Thanks for the reminder that Thank you is always a great answer, then shut up!.
Great post today.
Thanks Tim. I had forgotten about that experience. But now that you bring it to memory, I still cringe a little. It seems that a compliment causes arrogance to crow and strut. We are tested by compliments.
Love the article. Happy to say instead of owning ALL of these (only a couple…Whew!) it made me think of a teacher I coach/mentor. How do I deal with this personality when it is my responsibility to coach him and move him forward in his practice?
Apparent humility is often disguised arrogance.
Rather than expounding, I’ll just say thank you for your excellent message.
Great article! Arrogance and Ego, as well as Selfishness – these all go hand-in-hand. Do we really believe that we are so important and significant that everything has to go our way or that we are always right?
“To accept it without arrogance; and to let it go with indifference.” Marcus Aurelius
Stereotyping is the workers form of arrogance. It is arrogance to assume someone is arrogant without inquiry to on their individual story