The distinction between arrogance and clear self-expression is very useful indeed. Arrogance needs an audience and a winner. Clear expression just needs to be accurate.
What I find in professional environments is that the two get deliberately conflated... institutions that depend on a certain kind of compliance have a quiet interest in people believing that self-expression is self-promotion, and self-promotion is arrogance. Keeping your head down gets called humility. The cultural layer you've named from Ireland runs through a lot of professional cultures too, just wearing different clothes.
As someone who is overtly conscious about what to present as a public persona and feels safe in hiding, it's good to know I'm not alone. I'll treat this piece as a wake-up call.
The distinction between arrogance and clear self-expression is very useful indeed. Arrogance needs an audience and a winner. Clear expression just needs to be accurate.
What I find in professional environments is that the two get deliberately conflated... institutions that depend on a certain kind of compliance have a quiet interest in people believing that self-expression is self-promotion, and self-promotion is arrogance. Keeping your head down gets called humility. The cultural layer you've named from Ireland runs through a lot of professional cultures too, just wearing different clothes.
Becoming visible sounds scary. But perhaps time must feel right or resources be in place to have self trust that we can cope.
Great perspective Gary 👏🏻
Or maybe those things fall into place when we take action? Thanks Kate.
As someone who is overtly conscious about what to present as a public persona and feels safe in hiding, it's good to know I'm not alone. I'll treat this piece as a wake-up call.