The Untouchables
We have a
national radio station in South Africa that is really funky. It plays great
music, I enjoy the jokes, the promotions are very clever and here and there the
conversation is, let's say, interesting. Often quite a different take on
things.
But there is
one DJ with a 'god complex' that drives me crazy!
"A god
complex is an unshakable belief characterized by consistently inflated feelings
of personal ability, privilege, or infallibility." (Thank you Wikipedia.) The word 'arrogant' comes to
mind, or ‘over-confident’.
Please do
not misunderstand me, I am all for confidence. This guy I am referring to is
just never wrong. He insults others and bullies everyone, just because
he believes he can. He has the microphone after all!
I deal with
very senior people in business on a daily basis. In fact, I see this phenomenon
on all levels of organisations. Confidence related issues. Generally someone's
self-worth is low, for whatever reason, so he/she inflates the projected self -
and it is not pretty.
The thing that
really scares me, is when we make decisions based on this. Important decisions
that affect lots of people, their lives, and their families - all so the
individual feels more confident. To have that increased (false) sense of
self-worth.
I know that
this sounds rather serious. I suppose it is. I wish that we could sometimes
just pause. Step back. Think a little (or a lot...). And just check: Is this
decision/choice made based on my need to feel good/better/more?
In
conclusion, a quote from the book Return
to Paradise (Simone Elkeles):
“I wish I could turn back time,
but I can't. I made a stupid decision because I thought I was invincible, and
I'll pay for it the rest of my life."
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