I once knew a man who was unmatched in his passion for what he did. He was a true student, constantly digesting new information and maintaining his professional edge. Being around him, others couldn’t help but become interested in the field.
There was only one thing that kept him from truly achieving success: he was modest–too modest.
In the course of dealing with people from every nook and cranny of the professional world, I’ve noticed that one of the most frequent hindrances to personal development is the possession of either too much or too little self-regard. Modesty can turn the consummate professional into a doormat, causing them to defer to others whose judgments may not be as sound or, worse, passing up opportunities out of a sense of unworthiness. By contrast, big egos tend to blind people to the wisdom and input of others, which also limits both knowledge and opportunities.
We all need people, but people need us too. We have a responsibility to value others’ input, and we have a responsibility to contribute in our own sphere of influence. We should grasp opportunity with open palms, meaning we should strive to reach the highest heights without devoting undue attention to the individual achievements or failures along the way. On both sides of the coin, we should get out of our own way.
Presenters know that opportunities arise the moment we decide we’re ready for them. Until then, we can feel stuck in a quagmire of daily life. More often than not, our inability to recognize and pounce on the opportunities around us is directly linked to the under or overvaluation of our influence on others. It is only when we achieve balance that we can begin to impact the world around us in a meaningful, long-term way.
When you next step on stage, consider the way you project your self-worth to others. If you are too equivocal, too humble, and too modest, they are likely to discount your insights as much as you discount yourself. If you are haughty, prideful, or egocentric, they will visibly harden themselves against you, regardless of the veracity of your words.
For the comment board: How do you strike balance in the way you present yourself to others?
