Hey Jackass – Be Humble!
I’ll admit – sometimes I can be the most egotistical, cockiest, and pig-headed person when it comes right down to it. It’s a huge weakness – and it’s something I actively try to keep at bay. . . at least most of the time. My pop used to tell me all the time “James, be humble.” But, as per the typical teenager response, I’d shrug my shoulders and blow him off.
It wasn’t until I went out to sea that I figured out that – hey – it really does make people angry when you act like you’re the biggest, best dude around. Especially with people you are working with whom are twice your age. I remember completing a task for my Chief Mate, and when he had complimented me, I had to boost my own ego with my big mouth. I don’t know what I said specifically, but it was along the lines of how awesome I was as a cadet, and man, how could they do anything without me. My Chief Mate did an excellent job of reminding me just how much the ship really could have gotten along without my awesomeness and how he had to take time out of his day to instruct me, time he could have spent elsewhere on more important things. But this Chief Mate was also a good leader – anytime he tore me down like that, he’d always change his tone and give me a bit of wisdom. “James, always, always, always, be humble. In other words, don’t be a jackass.”
The Millennial Objective
For my peers – we know we’re good at things. We’ve been told off and on just how great we are at everything, and gosh darn it little Johnny or Janie, you can be the best at whatever you want to be, don’t let anyone tell you different. And YES! You can be awesome at something – just don’t go spouting off how awesome you are at it. Hey Jackass — It makes people feel inferior. Sure, you could impress some people, as are your original intentions with your ceaseless bragging. However, most people will see right through your childless charades, and call you out as the self-centered braggart you are. Why do we brag, why do we have to let everyone know how great we are? Because we want to feel good about ourselves, because we want the other guy to know that we think we’re better. If I told you right now, to your face, “Well, I know leadership better than you. So that makes me a better leader.” You’d probably look at me and laugh your face off. Good leaders need to be humble – your followers are always going to be watching you. A lot of leadership is based off of trust – and there is some truth in that old saying “One bad deed destroys a thousand good ones.” So seriously, swallow that ego, keep it in check, do whatever you have to do because your followers are always watching and judging your character.
