Four keys to ensure you build confidence and avoid arrogance with your teams & customers.

Throughout my life, I have always been put off by people who thought they were better than others. In other words, arrogance...ugh! We all know that feeling you get in your stomach when someone's arrogance can be so off-putting. They tend to have all of the answers. They are never wrong. They can never learn new skills. They must always be right!

Throughout athletics and life, my parents and coaches always taught me to lead humbly and treat others how we would like to be treated. As a quarterback in college, having confidence was a must! I will compare myself to the talented and famous #uncleRico from the moving "Napolean Dynamite" whenever I share my memories as a player.

Joking aside, the only way I would get my teammates to follow my leadership style was to lead by example. I would show up early, stay late, and work on the little things to earn their respect. These little things could be shown in the weight room or by staying after practice to work on a specific drill with one of my players or coaches.

When a quarterback calls a play, they do this in the huddle with ten teammates. Being confident in the huddle meant that I would direct the play called by our coaches with a positive, firm tone that would instill confidence in my team. I treated my teammates like gold and was always confident because I was prepared. I knew our plays inside and out because I was coachable and would always ask questions if I needed clarification. If I took shortcuts in earning my team's respect or was arrogant, they wouldn't work hard for me and would look for a new quarterback to lead them.

No matter the environment, arrogance is usually driven by someone with a huge ego who lacks the skill set or emotional intelligence to lead with an open mind or growth mindset. In business, the same applies!

If I treat my staff and other departments negatively, why would they want to do anything to help me? If I'm afraid to ask for help because my ego gets in the way, it only negatively impacts my team. What I'm talking about might seem simple, yet, many still don't get this right. Unfortunately, through my journies of life, I learned that everyone still needs to be reminded of this advice to avoid complacent arrogance settling in.

In a recent coaching session with one of my clients, we dove into the differences between confidence and arrogance. Confidence and arrogance are two distinct traits that can significantly impact our interactions and relationships. While they may initially seem similar, it is crucial to understand their differences and recognize the positive aspects of confidence while avoiding the pitfalls of arrogance.

In my coaching practice, I work with many of my clients, specifically sales & sales leaders, to understand the contrasting nature of confidence and arrogance and explore how embracing confidence can make positive changes in our lives. In my brief article, I will share four key attributes below to help you focus on ensuring you don't allow arrogance to creep into your personality:

1. Do you lead with humility? - Confidence is often rooted in humility, acknowledging one's strengths and abilities without belittling others. It allows individuals to appreciate their worth, recognizing the value and achievements of those around them. On the other hand, arrogance stems from an inflated sense of self-importance, leading to a disregard for other's opinions and contributions.
2. How approachable are you? - Confidence fosters approachability, as confident individuals are often open to new ideas, feedback, and collaboration. They inspire trust and create an environment that encourages others to share their thoughts and perspectives. Arrogance, however, can be off-putting, deterring genuine connections and hindering growth and learning opportunities.
3. Where do you show resilience? - Confidence provides a strong foundation for resilience. Confident individuals believe in their abilities and are likelier to persevere in facing challenges. They view setbacks as opportunities for growth, maintaining a positive attitude throughout the process. On the other hand, arrogance often shows up in adversity, as it is built on a fragile ego that cannot tolerate failure.
4. Do you embrace your authentic self? - Confidence allows individuals to embrace their true selves. It encourages self-expression and authenticity, empowering individuals to showcase their unique talents and abilities without needing validation or excessive self-promotion. Arrogance, on the contrary, stems from a need to constantly prove oneself, leading to a fa?ade that masks insecurities. I always teach people - "Don't fake it, until you make it." Own your true self, and remember that we can all learn and grow daily.

In our journey towards personal growth and meaningful connections, it is vital to understand the positive differences between confidence and arrogance. Confidence, rooted in humility, approachability, resilience, and authenticity, empowers individuals to embrace their authentic selves and inspire others by cultivating confidence and steering clear of arrogance. By focusing on being confident, not arrogant, you will continue positively impacting those around us.

I would love to hear what you think about what separates the best confident leaders from the arrogant ones. Thank you for taking the time to read!