Arrogance

Most of us have had the experience of meeting a person who is just miserable to deal with, because they are arrogant. Whether it is work or recreation this person has all the right answers and cannot be wrong. What makes it even worse is when the is when that person is right. Time and time again, they correct the ways that you have been doing your tasks with “a better way” or, more annoyingly, “the right way.” It would not be as bad if they were a little more tactful about it or had a different attitude when breaching the subject, but if they are consistently right or more capable than you are, whose arrogance is the problem?

One of the biggest problems I have seen dealing with trainees is arrogance. I understand that someone can have years of experience learning and practicing a certain method or style, but that does not mean that tactics, techniques, and procedures are not always adapting and improving. Since joining the Army in 2007 I learned certain shooting methods and techniques that I practiced for fifteen years. Last year I met another instructor who collapsed my entire world in on itself. I could have let my own arrogance get in the way or I could choose to be humble and listen to what he had to say. Last year I completely changed my shooting style, because I was humble enough to acknowledge that this person was better than me. The day that I quit thinking I can learn from someone else is the day I need to quit being an instructor.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about the chance to work with other people as a contractor is the chance to see someone else’s style and learn more. Even being an instructor, I get to learn from the other instructors and even the students I work with. Tactics and techniques can change, and we all need to be able to adapt and adjust. Just because something is different does not mean it’s wrong. I would challenge you to be the constant student and be willing to experiment with change when it’s presented to you and not be the person who lets arrogance get in the way of improvement. Stay humble.