Are those flare-ups of smug self-righteousness your mind’s attempt to spare you from feeling vulnerable? Most of the time, arrogance is used to cover the fear that we’re not really worthy, that we don’t measure up, writes Ted Leonhardt. It’s fear turned upside down and masquerading as superiority. It isn’t too hard to see, but in practice, it can be tough to correct.
Source: Fast Company, May 22, 2017.
There’s a reason for arrogance, though, especially when it comes to our work. It’s a self-protection mechanism we set up around things we care about–work we’re really proud of or skills we know we bring to the table. But it also blocks our ability to understand and help others.
INSIGHTS: Periodic flare-ups of arrogance let you know that something you care about is being questioned or jeopardized. Tuning into them differently can help you figure out the underlying fear and do something more productive about it. There’s no way around it. No matter what you do, collaborating, communicating and finding common ground is crucial to your own success.