First, you could change the title of this post to "The Danger of Personal Arrogance" if you so desired.
When you have a enough time in your rear-view mirror you can soberly look at your past. If you're like me, you have had enough experiences to have a track record/history. You can see what you missed as well as what went wonderfully when you look back-don't stay there too long though.
I was warned at an early stage in my career to avoid arrogance. It was a poison many advised. I did a decent job of heeding their advice. But like any human being, I took my share of poison pills. Some people and organizations were hurt by my arrogance. Some applauded with a knife ready to pierce my back, while others figured I'd find my way back home. And yes, my arrogance was fueled by my power and success.
Now that I've set the context, I'd like you to consider the following:
- This is big! Arrogance robs you of the opportunities to find the things/people that can help you figure out some of your problems and mystries.
- Arrogance lives on the same street as power and success. Doesn't mean that power and success are bad, just means you shouldn't invite them all over for a Super Bowl party.
- When arrogance starts to grow in you, your learning starts to atrophy/die. This can be reversed but like most things, the longer you wait the tougher it is to change.
- Arrogance assures loneliness. Even if hundred's of people smile and cater to you, the reality is they really don't care.
- The chances of living an Epic Life dwindles significantly. When arrogance takes hold, you'll find yourself too concerned about your "press" and not your legacy.
- Arrogance convinces you that you have to be "better than" in order to be safe and protected. In short, a lie.