The difference between confidence and arrogance is a fine line, but many of us struggle to find the balance. Sometimes we don’t even mean it, but other people could view it differently. While it might not seem like a big deal, being viewed as arrogant will slowly start to diminish your reputation among your peers.
It’s proven that confidence will attract the right people, while arrogance will repel them. If you want to surround yourself with positive energy and inspiration on a daily basis, it will normally depend on the type of energy you’re putting out there.
It doesn’t matter if it’s with a relationship, your career, or life in general, understanding the differences can help protect your reputation and ego. This will play a major role in your ability to meet new people and enjoy life.
What is Confidence?
Confidence is defined as a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. They might be very skilled at something or knowledgeable about a subject, but they understand there’s always more to learn.
Confident people care about listening to other people’s input and feedback. They want to hold a conversation with other people, even if the other person is much less talented than they are. There’s no belittling the other person. In fact, they’re praising others for their achievements — small or large.
You can be proud of yourself and determined in your abilities without making others feel less confident in themselves. It’s all about teamwork, but you can’t achieve that by making others feel worthless.
What is Arrogance?
Arrogance, on the other hand, is having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. Arrogant people are less focused on how to inspire others and more focused on receiving praise or acceptance from others.
Opposed to confident people, arrogant people don’t care to listen to others. They feel others have nothing to teach them and nothing interesting to share. You might feel like people are rallying around you, but you’re only pushing yourself away from them.
Arrogant people are often blind to the fact that they’re being arrogant, but others fully intend it. Either way, it’s going to be difficult to make friends and inspire others if you’re constantly boasting about yourself.
Remaining Confident, But Humble
Confident people know they’re talented, they know the experience they have, and they know their accomplishments. While this is also true with arrogant people, those with confidence have different intentions. They want to use their confidence to uplift others, opposed to belittling them.
It’s okay to know where you stand in this world, but you need to take those accomplishments to help lift others up. There will always be more to learn and you can never tell who will open your mind to new perspectives.
Give everyone a chance to prove themselves. We were all that person at one point that just wanted to be respected. If you’re in a position to give that to someone else, don’t hesitate to do it.