Re: Former mayor who hated BMW drivers dies in high-speed crash while racing a BMW
Ego is better than what most of us think.
The Thin Line Between Ego and Confidence
Mon, 09/08/2008 - 16:44 — Azhar It’s hard not to notice that many great people have huge egos. You probably need that super-inflated sense of self-belief to get you to high places. But take care that you do not get over-inflated with hot air instead.
By Nicholas Yong
The first time Irish playwright Oscar Wilde came to America, he was asked at the customs if he had anything to declare. He supposedly replied, “Only my genius.”
Having an “ego” is an integral part of character and personality. It is no coincidence that successful individuals from Donald Trump to Muhammad Ali are often imbued with an unshakable sense of importance.
They certainly did not succeed by being content with the status quo. They possess that electrifying X-factor that makes them believe that they are better — special even — than everyone else.
“Everyone loves a winner,” so the saying goes, and it’s certainly true that people with strong personalities often attract a huge following. But it’s also often the case that people with huge egos are a massive turn-off. So why do we have these mixed reactions?
Perhaps it’s best to start with a clear definition of what we mean by having an “ego”. We usually think of people with an inflated opinion of themselves, justified or otherwise. There is generally a negative connotation attached to that word. But having an ego should not be confused with having self-respect.
The person with self-respect or confidence simply likes himself for what he is and has a realistic appreciation of his own abilities. This self-respect/confidence is not contingent on success because there are always failures to contend with. Neither is it a result of comparing ourselves with others because there is always someone better. Simply put, it’s about being confident in your abilities without being conceited at the same time.
This form of confidence is highly infectious. It is an enduringly attractive and inspiring quality that breeds equal amounts of energy and passion in others. Even when a team is dying on its feet, it only takes one confident, charismatic leader to make all the difference.
At the 1966 football World Cup final, England had given away a psychologically damaging last-gasp equaliser to West Germany, after they had dominated the game for the whole match. As his demoralised players trudged to the touchline, dreading the prospect of extra-time, legendary manager Alf Ramsey looked them in the eye and said his now famous line, “You’ve won it once. Now go out there and win it again.” Revitalised, they did exactly that.
Too much ego is bad
We are all familiar with the colleague/boss/acquaintance who runs other people down, speaks to one and all with a lack of respect, and generally behaves like God’s gift to man.
They have no lack of confidence in themselves, it seems. In fact, you could justifiably say that they have too much of it. When self-confidence crosses the line to become arrogance and conceit, it creates the egoistical people whom we all love to hate.
No matter the depth of your abilities, arrogance breeds disrespect, and ultimately enemies who will be more than tempted to do you in. Even if you know that you are brighter and better looking than others, there is no need to announce it to the whole world.
You should be secure enough in your own attributes not to have to constantly make them known to others, or to have to prove your superiority to others. Bragging, showing off and bullying the weak will only expose you for what you really are – an insecure person who cares too much about how other people evaluate you.
Furthermore, blind arrogance leads to mistakes such as underestimating challenges of a task, because you fail to take into account the opinions and abilities of others.
Upon being warned of rebellion in his ranks, Julius Caesar reportedly refused to believe that the men who had marched to war with him would dare turn against him. In the end, he was betrayed by Brutus, his closest ally and friend.
Strike a balance
In the end, neither a lack of humility nor a surfeit of it is desirable. Mythology tells us that Narcissus drowned because he fell in love with his own reflection, and the proud similarly fail to see the cracks in the mirror. On the flip side, the meek will never inherit the earth.
Ultimately, the gift of self-belief cannot be a blessing unless it is also tempered with a sense of balance and perspective.
kenntona;408481 said:
Ego is better than what most of us think.
The Thin Line Between Ego and Confidence
Mon, 09/08/2008 - 16:44 — Azhar It’s hard not to notice that many great people have huge egos. You probably need that super-inflated sense of self-belief to get you to high places. But take care that you do not get over-inflated with hot air instead.
By Nicholas Yong
The first time Irish playwright Oscar Wilde came to America, he was asked at the customs if he had anything to declare. He supposedly replied, “Only my genius.”
Having an “ego” is an integral part of character and personality. It is no coincidence that successful individuals from Donald Trump to Muhammad Ali are often imbued with an unshakable sense of importance.
They certainly did not succeed by being content with the status quo. They possess that electrifying X-factor that makes them believe that they are better — special even — than everyone else.
“Everyone loves a winner,” so the saying goes, and it’s certainly true that people with strong personalities often attract a huge following. But it’s also often the case that people with huge egos are a massive turn-off. So why do we have these mixed reactions?
Perhaps it’s best to start with a clear definition of what we mean by having an “ego”. We usually think of people with an inflated opinion of themselves, justified or otherwise. There is generally a negative connotation attached to that word. But having an ego should not be confused with having self-respect.
The person with self-respect or confidence simply likes himself for what he is and has a realistic appreciation of his own abilities. This self-respect/confidence is not contingent on success because there are always failures to contend with. Neither is it a result of comparing ourselves with others because there is always someone better. Simply put, it’s about being confident in your abilities without being conceited at the same time.
At the 1966 football World Cup final, England had given away a psychologically damaging last-gasp equaliser to West Germany, after they had dominated the game for the whole match. As his demoralised players trudged to the touchline, dreading the prospect of extra-time, legendary manager Alf Ramsey looked them in the eye and said his now famous line, “You’ve won it once. Now go out there and win it again.” Revitalised, they did exactly that.
Too much ego is bad
We are all familiar with the colleague/boss/acquaintance who runs other people down, speaks to one and all with a lack of respect, and generally behaves like God’s gift to man.
They have no lack of confidence in themselves, it seems. In fact, you could justifiably say that they have too much of it. When self-confidence crosses the line to become arrogance and conceit, it creates the egoistical people whom we all love to hate.
No matter the depth of your abilities, arrogance breeds disrespect, and ultimately enemies who will be more than tempted to do you in. Even if you know that you are brighter and better looking than others, there is no need to announce it to the whole world.
You should be secure enough in your own attributes not to have to constantly make them known to others, or to have to prove your superiority to others. Bragging, showing off and bullying the weak will only expose you for what you really are – an insecure person who cares too much about how other people evaluate you.
Furthermore, blind arrogance leads to mistakes such as underestimating challenges of a task, because you fail to take into account the opinions and abilities of others.
Upon being warned of rebellion in his ranks, Julius Caesar reportedly refused to believe that the men who had marched to war with him would dare turn against him. In the end, he was betrayed by Brutus, his closest ally and friend.
Strike a balance
In the end, neither a lack of humility nor a surfeit of it is desirable. Mythology tells us that Narcissus drowned because he fell in love with his own reflection, and the proud similarly fail to see the cracks in the mirror. On the flip side, the meek will never inherit the earth.
Ultimately, the gift of self-belief cannot be a blessing unless it is also tempered with a sense of balance and perspective.
