IS IT CONFIDENCE OR IS IT ARROGANCE?

Is It Confidence or Arrogance?

While some believe that there's a thin line between confidence and arrogance, others say that the gap between the two is very wide spread. The two can be mistaken for one another; thus, it's vital to distinguish the difference. Let's distinctively look at them and decide what’s what.

What's Confidence?

Confidence is feeling sure of yourself and your strengths realistically or securely. It is not about feeling ahead of others. Confidence has inner knowledge and conviction of being capable of accomplishing a feat. In other words, confidence can mean the self-assurance of one's ability to perform.​

What's Arrogance?

Arrogance, on the other hand, is a disposition to exaggerate one's importance, or capabilities. This behavior pattern comes from the feeling of being more important than you really are. 

Are You Arrogant or Just Confident?

It can be difficult to know when you're in an act of showcasing an off-putting perspective of arrogance, or if you're a person who's just overly confident, especially in a time period where self-promotion is preached. However, the following will guide you to make that determination;

Arrogant people often think that they can't learn from others. They always tend to show a know-it-all attitude. They often disregard other people's opinions and always have the mindset that they are right. Conversely, Confident people have no problem listening to others. They know what they can do and are always willing to learn from others what they can’t.

People with arrogant characteristics like to focus, or talk more about themselves and their perceived achievements. Most brag about their abilities and skills. Sometimes arrogant people aren’t really mediocre per se; they are just mostly full of themselves. Confident people might inspire their friends, family, or colleague's life journey. Sometimes they might not be as knowledgeable or well trained as others, but they are bold enough to take on what others won't be willing to take on.

A confident person takes the lead when their strengths and skills match the project's requirements and accept ideas and help from others. An arrogant person always takes the lead despite not being the better person for the position, or role. They don't take other ideas; instead, they act on their ideas and expect royalty.

Arrogant people are always quick to run away from blame. Why? Because they know whatever error they might have made came from an exaggerated postulation of their abilities. Whilst a confident person, on the other hand, isn’t scared to take the blame. Why? Because they are confident that they can find a solution to any screw-up.

Finally, confidence comes from being positive and optimistic hence the belief that you can do it even if your abilities might sell you a bit short. Arrogance conversely stems from fear of failing and being ridiculed hence the need to hype your abilities more than it's supposed to be.

Perhaps, the main striking difference is that arrogance masks insecurity while confidence propagates boldness. Arrogant individuals are boastful of their abilities and achievements while demeaning others. As people come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, their definition of confidence would differ. However, as Seneca stated, "what you think of yourself is much more important than what people think of you."

True confidence does not come with money or possessions alone; it’s about your knowing of self-worth, and the belief that you can achieve more in life, and a firm conviction in God.