I'm an arrogant a**hole. That was the feedback.
I used to think being the smartest guy in the room was the goal...
I was dead wrong.
The Silent Superpower That Outperforms Raw Talent
The most dangerous words in business?
“I know.”
Not “I failed.”
Not “We missed projections.”
Not even “We lost the deal.”
“I know” is the phrase that quietly shuts down growth.
I’ve watched brilliant people stall out while seemingly average performers lap them. Not because of IQ.
But because of three better words: “I don’t know.”
> The know-it-all explains. (this was me)
> The high-performer explores.
> The genius talks. (again, me)
> The builder listens.
> The expert defends their position. (I was the king of defensive)
> The learner upgrades their thinking.
Here’s the truth about humility that no one teaches in business school:
It’s not weakness.
It’s not self-deprecation.
And it’s not about thinking less of yourself.
It’s about thinking about yourself less.
I learned this the hard way. Over and over and over again. In this regard, I was NOT a quick learner.
Humility is curiosity in action.
The best leaders I know ask better questions.
They don’t fake certainty.
They aren’t afraid to admit, “I hadn’t considered that.”
That’s not a weakness.
It’s a competitive advantage.
Because here’s the math:
Arrogance = limited to your own brainpower
Humility = access to everyone’s
One gets you in the room.
The other helps you own it.
Your move:
Where are you stuck in “I know”?
Where would “I don’t know” open a door?
Learning right beside you,
Jeff
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P.S. Next time you're convinced you're right, ask one more question instead of making another statement.
It might change everything.