One of the most fascinating elements of our human mind, at least to me, is our ability to see flaws in others that we don’t perceive in ourselves.
So I was delighted when a friend texted me last week to ask if I was aware that some of my recent acts could be construed as arrogant.
I had arrived late to a meeting and assumed nothing of it, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I should have apologized and, most importantly, arrived on time.
I took some time to think about my actions so that I could better understand what went wrong and how to avoid making the same mistakes again. I understand that our acts can be misinterpreted by others, but I don’t like to take chances. I understand that we cannot please everyone or match everyone’s expectations of what we should do, but we must also recognize that it is our responsibility as leaders to provide the finest possible example for those around us.
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It all starts with humility, according to Bishop T.D. Jakes. He is correct. Massive development is enabled by the capacity to communicate and exchange opposing viewpoints without feeling personally attacked. It displays a superiority complex if we can’t do that as leaders. That’s not a good sign.
I certainly don’t want my coworkers to accuse me of behaving superior to them. But I’m aware that it can happen by chance. The following are some crucial factors to look out for in order to keep a superiority complex in check.
1) You Aren’t Much Better.
Never assume that you are superior to others. If you listen carefully, you can learn something from everybody. We all share the fact that we are human, and we all experience comparable emotions, struggles, and obstacles as humans. We’re all good at something and bad at something else.
2) Take the Time to Pay Attention.
You will be perceived as vain and arrogant if you do not actively communicate with people. Always take the time to chat with people and get to know them on a personal level. Especially if you are in a crowded environment. Always make an effort to speak to as many people as possible. If you ever encounter me in person, you’ll notice that I make an effort to converse with you and look you in the eyes. I’d like to acknowledge your existence and the fact that you’re essential to me right now.
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3) You’ll Require Feedback.
Never presume that you can progress without receiving feedback. There’s no doubt that there’s always space for improvement. The breakfast of champions is criticism. Become accustomed to others telling you what you should or should not do. Make a list of your values so you’ll know what’s important to you and what you should be focusing on to improve yourself.
4) There is No Need For Admiration.
Nobody should be obligated to admire you. If they do, treat them with respect at all times. Admiration is not something you should pursue with zeal.
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5) It is You, Not They, Who Are to Blame.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that others misunderstand you. Consider the possibility that you are the one who is approaching the matter with less ego and more humility.
6) Be on time.
Attend your meetings and arrive on time. If you don’t, people could assume you believe you’re too good for them. I have a busy schedule most of the time, so this is something I’m working on. When you don’t respect other people’s time, they’ll believe you don’t respect them as well.
If you recall nothing else from this, keep in mind that it’s fine for people to criticize you. That is how we develop.
Take some time to consider who you are and how your actions impact others. Following this personal deep dive, I saw that my acts were incorrect, and I soon changed my ways.
Acting superior or expressing other superiority complex characteristics is sometimes used to disguise or hide feelings of inferiority. To some level, we all have a sense of self-worth and ego. However, as leaders, we must be aware of our actions and the way we communicate with others and keep this side of ourselves in check.