GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE
GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE.
A phrase that originated from people of power dating as far back as 1380, often picking the biggest horses to ride to stay above the crowds, higher than others, and often in a display of their power.
Now used metaphorically, it means that you are being arrogant, closed-minded, and/or ego-driven (a nice way of saying that you are a self-centered bum hole).
LETS TALK ABOUT THE VERY FINE LINE BETWEEN BEING CONFIDENT AND ARROGANT.
I had a conversation with a woman in leadership today on the phone, regarding a client of mine who has fewer "years under their belt" within the respective industry.
I FELT LIKE I HAD TO ROLL AROUND AND WASH OFF THE DISGUSTING dialog I had endured.
This was a call regarding a new best practice that was being implemented for my client. Right from the get-go of the conversation she was belittling my client's ideas and taunting her experience in the industry, it was as if I could hear her eyes rolling over the phone. This didn't just go on for a minute; IT WAS A 7 MINUTE PHONECALL!
My mind was blown. It's important to note, that the practice that my client was implementing would have ZERO effect on this woman and/or the way that she did business… this disgusting display of idea trampling simply came from a place of her believing that she knows what does and doesn't work because of her seniority in the industry.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I TOLD MY CLIENT?
After apologizing that she has to work with such an energy-sucker on the daily, I told her that I looked forward to the day that her sales surpass this close-minded woman (because with that mentality in business, they will).
I also wonder what this lady's team could achieve if she encouraged new thinking and fresh ideology through her mentorship, rather than making them feel foolish for thinking outside-of-the-box (call me!).
The lower-level employees (you know, the ones that are interacting with your customers daily) rarely, if ever, get called into the board room for their ideas. Not only that, but often when and if they do offer up an idea or input, it is brushed off by someone of power who "knows better", "has tried it", "knows the customer better than you", "knows the business better than you", etc.
Confidence is great in leadership; we want confident leaders. Confident in their own ability, but also confidence and trust in their ability to gather information, make sound decisions, and provide solutions, as well as, the leadership qualities to carry them out through their appropriate channels. Are you leading if you are always doing things the way YOU think is best? I guess technically, the answer is yes. But, you will be dragging a bunch of un-motivated dead weight behind you instead of breathing new life and growth into your organization.
SO ARE YOU A CONFIDENT LEADER, OR AN ARROGANT LEADER?
CONFIDENT
-feeling or showing confidence (or firm trust) in oneself; self-assured
ARROGANT
-having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities
IF YOU'RE STILL ON A 1380'S HIGH HORSE, your ideas are likely archaic and your ego is draining your company, employees, and any hopes of pivoting with the rapid rate-of-change in our world. You may also be working for one of the above said, "deadweights" soon enough because they will get fatigued by your leadership and jump ship to an organization who will support their growth.
It only takes one spark… to start a wildfire
