Confidence Perceived As Arrogance
01-18-09
That is an interesting title I think. I have been working on writing this one post for over a week now. I have been trying to ensure that I don’t write in anger, haste or to harm.
Last week while working with a colleague who I am still trying to understand our working relationship, I was totally caught off guard by a comment that was made. The comment was in reference to a rumor that was in the mix about something I had possible stated. I was very quick to quelsh the rumor and ensure this person that I no way made the statements referred to in said rumor and assured the person of where I stood on their role in an specific area of service. Later that day in a working meeting I mentioned to a couple other staff members the said rumor to assure them that if they heard it to stop it in it’s tracks. Rumors are a vile communication and can tear teams apart if not dealt with head on. Well the fun keeps right on rolling at this point. I was then informed in the that there are more that this first colleague whom I supposedly was spreading rumors about feels that I am arrogant. At this point I was floored.
I have never thought of myself as arrogant and to hear that someone perseves me that way was almost crushing. I went through lots of emotions from being sad, crushed, hurt, pissed, pity… I have spent some time away from the situation in prayer and with very close advisers and have resolved this in my heart and I am now to the place where I can write it.
I am a confident person who attempts to walk humbly. I am not afraid to make mistakes while at the same time fear failure. For place of responsibility, I have to make well informed but sometime on the spot decisions and I don’t fear this. If the decision turns out to be the wrong one we correct the issue and learn from the mistake. I am not one that will sit for hours with a committee to make a decision that I feel confident in making under my areas of responsibility. In all of this I attempt to do it with humility. I know there are times in which I have failed and will fail in the future. So that is who I am.
If you are perceiving someone to be arrogant, close the loop with them personally and directly… you might be dealing with a confident person and if so ensure they are serving humbly and for the right reasons. I am still working to cycle back and close the loop with my colleague, they are an amazing person whom I know I still have some things to learn from.
God Bless,
dl
Tags: arrogance, confidence, humble, perceived