Look around, is your leader confident or arrogant?

When I was growing up in Munteme, we used to walk over 40 kilometers to Lake Albert to buy fish. The journey was long, but the most terrifying part was crossing the Rift Valley.

We had been warned about the lions. The elders told us, “If you hear a lion roar far away, it means it’s close. If you hear it close, it means it’s far.”?

I never quite understood this. Was it true? Or just a strategy to keep us alert? I never saw a lion, but I heard the deep, distant roar. And each time, my heart pounded. We would walk in a single file, silently maneuvering through the valley, staying sharp, trusting our instincts, never panicking.?

That was my first lesson in confidence and arrogance.

The lion didn’t need to be seen. It didn’t need to roar every minute to prove its presence. Its power was in the way it commanded fear—without showing itself. That is confidence. Contrast that with stray dogs that bark at everything, desperately seeking attention. That is arrogance.

The hidden danger in leadership

Years later, I worked with a CEO who reminded me of that journey. He was brilliant, charismatic, and powerful. His confidence had built an empire. But it had also turned into arrogance.

His team feared him. No one challenged his ideas. Meetings were a performance, with executives nodding in agreement, too afraid to speak the truth.?

Decisions were made fast—but not always wisely. Customers started leaving. Innovation dried up. The company was becoming a monument to his ego.

One advantage of being a consultant is you can ask questions many others won't. During a one-on-one, I asked him a simple question:

“If you left today, would this company thrive or collapse?”?

He paused. Then laughed. Then reflected.

He had built a kingdom, not a company. His arrogance had suffocated the very people who could have made the business stronger.

The difference between confidence and arrogance

a) Confidence listens. Arrogance talks. A confident leader values input. They ask questions. They seek different perspectives. An arrogant leader assumes they already know everything.

b) Confidence builds others. Arrogance builds itself. A confident leader creates space for others to shine. An arrogant leader ensures they are always the smartest person in the room.

c) Confidence admits mistakes. Arrogance deflects blame. When things go wrong, a confident leader takes responsibility. An arrogant leader finds someone to blame.

The turning point

The CEO’s change didn’t happen overnight. It took one moment of brutal honesty.?

During a strategy session, I did something unexpected. Instead of asking the CEO for his vision, I turned to his leadership team.

“What do you think is the biggest threat to this company?” I asked.

Silence. People exchanged nervous glances. Then one executive cleared his throat and cautiously said, “We have brilliant ideas, but we don’t challenge decisions. We execute orders.”?

Another added, “We’ve stopped innovating because we’re afraid of making mistakes.” The CEO sat back, arms crossed. He listened. I could see his mind working.

For the first time, he realized the issue wasn’t his team’s incompetence—it was his own behavior. He had unknowingly created a culture of silence, where his word was law and his presence stifled critical thinking.

That moment of self-awareness was the turning point.

From then on, he made deliberate changes. He started asking for input—genuinely listening, not just waiting for his turn to speak. He allowed his team to challenge him, even when it made him uncomfortable. At first, it did. With time, he started loving it. People shared freely brilliant ideas. Most importantly, he rewarded those who spoke up, proving that dissent would no longer be punished but valued.

Slowly, the culture shifted. Decision-making improved. Employees became engaged again. Innovation returned. The business found its edge.

Not because he lost confidence, but because he finally understood its purpose. True confidence isn’t about dominating the room—it’s about creating an environment where the best ideas win, not just the loudest voice.

Ask yourself:

a)??? Do people around you challenge you, or do they just agree with you?

b)??? When was the last time you admitted you were wrong?

c)???? Are you building a business that can thrive without you, or one that depends on your presence?

Confidence is powerful. But the moment it turns into arrogance, it becomes your downfall.

Lead like a lion—walk with presence, not noise.

Take action now

Your business deserves a leadership team that drives results, not just follows orders. If your boardroom feels like an echo chamber, it’s time for a transformation?

I help CEOs and boards build dynamic, strategy-driven organizations by fostering a culture of bold leadership, critical thinking, and high-impact decision-making.

Let's talk if you’re ready to challenge the status quo and create a business that thrives beyond you.

Book a strategy session or board training today at www.mustaphamugisa.com.

Lead with confidence. Build with strategy. Win with impact.

I remain Mr. Strategy 2025.