Is arrogance really such an impeding factor for growth? What really constitutes arrogance and how does it translate into workplace dynamics? Can it be said, what looks like arrogance is actually the mark of a knowledgeable and successful genius. Someone who has grown tall with sheer talent, knowledge, skill and competence but is now facing obstacles due to the overpowering trait of arrogance. All qualities that were visible earlier are now being overpowered by this one main trait. Can arrogance actually be described?

My favourite past time is understanding behaviour and trying to deduce what makes people act so. Arrogance as a trait has repeatedly entered my sphere of study and made itself more and more interesting. Where earlier this behaviour on the part of my colleagues was bewildering and humiliating, it’s now become an activity that I can view with interest without participating in the mind games. I don’t think it’s right to call people arrogant as this is just a part of their mental makeup and does not at any level constitute the whole. Furthermore arrogance has its own set of behavioural characteristics that may or may not match the complete persona of the person.

Some Characteristics of Arrogance

1. Extremely critical of others

One of the first behavioural traits that you will perceive when dealing with arrogance is criticism. Critique can be said harshly, with affection, with humour, with politeness or with a view to correct. There is always someone in office who will bring to your notice the defects of most people they meet. Discussions among peers can include certain behaviours of colleagues but arrogance does not give an inch. What is even the slightest quirk soon becomes a full dissection. There are plenty of subjects around. Leaving aside a chosen few, arrogance finds targets and topics of discussion in most people it meets. Instead of rose coloured spectacles, arrogance looks at everyone with magnifying glasses and maybe even microscopes.

2. Always have an opinion

Having an opinion is good. Each of us has certain ideals, certain beliefs that we hold dear. These can be near sighted, far sighted, agreeable or objectionable as the case can be. The difference that arrogance brings to the table is, there are very few subjects or people about whom arrogance will not have an opinion. I’m sure we all have opinions but arrogance finds little to admire or appreciate in others. It is strong willed, extremely vocal, dogmatist and a clear influencer on someone susceptible.

3. A superiority complex

Deep within arrogance has a belief that it’s always right. Nothing can shake this belief. This precludes the person displaying this characteristic from ever thinking of apologising. It’s like asking for forgiveness is an unknown and unheard of trait. Many a path in life and relationships can be smoothened with just these three simple words “I am sorry”. Arrogance hence has a tougher time in relationships as compared to others. It’s sad to see people unhappy in relationships but still retaining the belief that they are always right. Furthermore, arrogance harbours grudges. It can never forget, never forgive even if it was the one to make the mistake in the first place.

4. Competing for attention

All of the earlier characteristics lead arrogance towards attention seeking. This is such a comprehensive and all-pervasive feature that it leads the bearer of this trait to forget who is it they are competing with? At work where a senior is supposed to guide and correct a junior, I have observed supervisors competing for attention along with the team. Extreme cases show that bosses can sacrifice their team just to show themselves as a saviour and a performer. In the longer run this results in a higher rate of attrition in their teams. This however does not deter arrogance as it reinforces its image as saviour of the company. Team leaders can harness arrogance to achieve targets by setting in place a healthy competition among arrogance and others. Nothing motivates arrogance more than a desire to always shine.

5. Cannot accept feedback

I believe being humble is a mark of superiority. The higher the thinker, the more open to change and more acceptable of feedback. When receiving feedback, what should be concentrated upon is the intention and thought process of the person giving feedback. Is the feedback criticism or is the motive behind the feedback a view to correct. These subtleties are not perceived by arrogance and in cases of extreme arrogance, it’s better to keep your thoughts to yourself. No matter how senior you are or in a position of authority, even the slightest remark can cause a major outbreak. It just can’t accept feedback. I guess this is caused due to the earlier mentioned trait of always being right.

I have faced situations where giving feedback was required and could not be avoided. In almost all circumstances, the person who is defined by this characteristic turn’s defensive and will try to convince you on how wrong we are, how correct they are, how long they have worked for the company, how loyal they are and how they are not being recognised by the company for their hard work. It’s almost funny to see how their mind works.

6. Closed to learning

Due to its belief of always being right, arrogance faces a sharp resistance in learning. Learning, feedback and growing in a role are all connected. It is our ability to keep absorbing new inputs and building upon them that lets us accept newer responsibilities and roles. I once knew of someone who was sent by the company to a course conducted by one of the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management). This was a prestigious course and one coveted by many others. The feedback received by HR upon his return was “I had to teach them so many things”. It was clear that no learning had taken place. It’s not his fault. The dominant arrogant trait in him did not let him accept any new form of learning.

Feedback received from different participants at the end of the same training program can sometimes be so varied. There are some genuine thinkers who will evaluate the merits and demerits while some will give their appreciation and generally score the program in the 70 to 100 percentile in each category. The most interesting feedback will always come from you know who, with low scores and multiple suggestions on how this can be improved upon. This behaviour has even been viewed with regards to established trainers and repeatedly requested training programs.

7. Cannot accept change

Being rigid in thinking due to the above-mentioned reasons makes arrogance unadaptable and inflexible. This does not help in cultivating an open to learning mindset.

How arrogance plays out in the workplace

Usually arrogance is loud and spells out is grievance to all. While such a trait spoils the atmosphere of the office, the person does not realise how this is inhibiting their growth. From my own experiences, I have seen people who are knowledgeable, hard-working, loyal and good performers get side-lined in their careers due to this trait. When thinking about how exactly can arrogance limit growth, I believe the following reasons play a strong part.

1. Can alienate others

Certain behaviours displayed by arrogance can alienate others around the office. People do not want to associate with someone whom they cannot trust to treat them with respect. In the case of an arrogant manager, the team will prefer changing jobs. Arrogant managers, in keeping with their saviour image also do not prefer giving salary hikes or high bonuses to their team. They will present a cost cutting, efficient side to their own managers at the expense of their juniors. While they definitely respect how loyal they are themselves, this trait will not be respected in their juniors. Due to their habit of loudly airing their grievances, there is a changing sea of supporters around them.

2. Inability in building up long term connections at work

People seek others at work who are approachable, helpful and with whom they can build up a good working relationship. While most people keep away from arrogance, depending on the situation and on a case to case basis will try to benefit from it. While you cannot trust arrogance completely, most people tend to use arrogance in their colleagues to put their own points across. They work from behind the scenes and let someone else take the blame. Being always right, arrogance sometimes cannot see how they are being used.

Airing these grievances around the office also deters arrogance from winning the confidence and respect from its seniors. Likewise, the company saviour mentality tends to show others in a negative light. This can lead to a challenging environment at work.

3. Lack of help from colleagues

As most people will avoid the company of arrogance, they would not be forthcoming to assist in trying situations. People love to work with friends. They form strong work-based friendships and the camaraderie at work helps them achieve many performance goals. This is a two-way relationship and engineers’ comfort and support at office. People also tend to unconsciously seek out friends who share the same qualities as themselves. Arrogance tends to be a quality not shared by all. Colleagues are not too proactive assisting others who are not among their chosen confidantes.

Better to handle a solo role

Due to the above factors, it’s always better that people who are defined by this trait are given solo tasks to handle. They will always shine in their solo role and will be receptive to praise received from seniors. They can handle multiple responsibility but on no account should be given a team to handle. Moreover, most people would prefer to be in business and not be happy in a full-time service role.

Reason for arrogance

All of us have this characteristic inbuilt from birth. We need to understand its significance in ourselves and learn to build up other more positive behavioural traits that we are also bestowed upon at birth. Easily achieved recognition, money, power combined with a high IQ level tends to build up arrogance but people should take care it does not overpower other more positive traits.

Arrogance is supported by others only when it’s on the way up. Arrogance is tolerated in a successful person but does not win friends. The first instance of turmoil or turbulence tends to reveal the rent in the fabric that is friendship. Behaviour that was deemed acceptable earlier will be judged unacceptable later. All those cheering on the way up will seem illusionary on the way down.

It’s always better to be humble and open to learning

It’s not always easy to receive feedback and to be humble. I am fortunate that I am surrounded by family and close friends who have persisted and made me the person I am today. I have now come to appreciate the wisdom of being open to learning and accepting change. Arrogance as a trait should be discouraged and ebbed within ourselves as no good can come from it.

 

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