Want to deal with hubris? Start with yourself. (2014)

“How can you fix your own hubristic tendencies? … The key is to admit to yourself that you could turn arrogant. When you see someone exhibit clear hubris, think:

Prof. Christoph Loch, Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School
Personal blog posted 1 July 2014

Is hubris really so medically pathological? The need for recognition and the striving for status are … hardwired into human psychology. Mentally healthy people tend to have a slightly inflated view of themselves ….  and thank goodness: we all need a healthy dose of self-confidence.

In fact, you can think of self-confidence as an inflated balloon, deflating in response to the normal minor humiliations of daily life then reinflating to return to a normal, healthy size.

Problems occur when … the external regulatory forces of deflation are taken away.

This can happen to powerful managers, stars or politicians, but it is just as likely where an individual becomes a recognised expert within a team, company or sector.

So how can you fix your own hubristic tendencies? … The key is to admit to yourself that you could turn arrogant. When you see someone exhibit clear hubris, think: “This could be me”.

Read the full blog here: Want to deal with hubris? Start with yourself