How to Know the Difference Between Confidence and Arrogance
Why Knowing This Will Help How You Conduct Yourself
It’s important to know the difference between confidence and arrogance because they often are mistaken for one another.
There is a fine line between feeling confident and expressing it, and coming across as arrogant. If you cross that fine line, it can affect you in personal and professional situations.
What is Confidence?
Confidence is having faith in yourself. It is how you believe you can deal with situations to get the outcomes you want.
It’s knowing you can figure things out as you face your day-to-day challenges.
Confidence is also valuing yourself and feeling worthy, no matter what anyone thinks.
What is Arrogance?
The dictionary defines arrogance as, “An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.”
Arrogance is often a compensating strategy for insecurity and lack of self-confidence. A person may act arrogant because of their desire to gain respect or admiration.
An arrogant person acts as if they are better or more valuable than others and are not shy to show it. Arrogance is usually self-serving and often rubs people the wrong way.
What are the Causes of Arrogance?
Although it varies for people, common causes of arrogance include:
- The need for validation or approval.
- Low self-esteem.
- Unresolved childhood issues.
- Pride, especially after achieving something major in life.
- Not wanting others to find their weaknesses.
If you know the difference between confidence and arrogance, you will better manage your actions and how you conduct yourself.
How to Know the Difference Between Confidence and Arrogance
A simple way to remember the difference is arrogance repels, whereas confidence attracts.
Here are five ways to remember the difference between confidence and arrogance, so you can stay true to yourself and let your actions make you an attractive person.
- Confidence implies acceptance, whereas arrogance demonstrates judgment. A confident person will listen to other people’s ideas and accept their points of view. An arrogant person will judge other opinions and make theirs appear more valuable.
- Confidence shows humility, whereas arrogance shows lack of respect for others. A confident person understands others have different levels of skills and knowledge. An arrogant person will look down on others and may even make fun of their ideas.
- Confidence reveals or leads to competence, whereas arrogance masks incompetence or insecurities. A confident person lets their actions and results speak for themselves. An arrogant person will talk themselves up to cover for their lack of results.
- Confidence shows a willingness to accept feedback, whereas arrogance stems from a fear of criticism. A confident person wants to learn from their mistakes, so they can improve. An arrogant person finds it difficult to admit their flaws or weaknesses.
- Confidence implies positivity and optimism, whereas arrogance involves blame or excuse-making. A confident person will continue to take action despite setbacks or failures. An arrogant person will blame others or situations for their failures and may abandon their goals.
Final Thoughts
Confidence is “arrogance under control.” You can have confidence without the need to show arrogance.
When you have confidence, there is no need to prove anything or portray yourself as above or better than others. Let your actions and results show the level of confidence you have in your ability to achieve your goals or live the life you want.
Action Step: Reflect on how you communicate to others. Put yourself in other people’s shoes. How do you think the way you speak conveys your confidence? Set an intention to be more mindful of the words you use and the context in which you use them.
Question: What are other ways to know the difference between confidence and arrogance?
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