It’s obvious you don’t know everything.
It’s obvious that what you think is just your opinion.
It’s obvious that you don’t have the universal truth.
It’s all so obvious, that there’s no point in saying it.
Even if some insecure souls think that you should.
Bottom line: Clarifying you may be wrong is a waste of time. Don’t believe for a second that speaking passionately is a sign of arrogance.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post. I’m so tired of everyone feeling like we have to clarify every little thing about every little point. That’s what books are for, not blogs. Thanks for the reminder
I believe this applies even more to speaking than writing. While what you say it’s completely true (a blog post it’s a small opinion, it’s not supposed to consider everything), I really feel this problem everytime I have a face to face debate. It’s ridiculous to try to keep everyone happy if you want to have a strong position in a spoken discussion.
Thanks for stopping by Rebecca, and I’m glad you found it useful!
The last line is my favorite, and I couldn’t agree more. Speaking passionately isn’t a sign of arrogance…it’s a sign of passion. Great insight as always, Carlos!
A sign of passion indeed, thanks Sam!
One of the first thing I learned in journalism class back in college (ah, those were the days) was that typing ‘I believe’ before a statement was pointless when writing a subjective article. It is a given that, when you are writing a blog post, it’s YOUR opinion. And it should be understood by you as the author, that everyone doesn’t have to agree with you, everyone isn’t required to praise you and nod their heads. Speak your mind, write passionately, and embrace whatever response you receive.
With all this talk about personal branding – we see SO MANY people claim to be ‘experts’ on social media, blogging, marketing, gen-y, etc. One of the biggest turnoffs is someone who claims to be an expert and closes themselves off to criticism or disagreement. We all tend to write about things we are knowledgeable and passionate about, but let’s remember to keep an open mind for new and varying opinions and idea.
Great comment from you Matt, as usual. I agree with everything you say. I actually have realized that the most passionate and confident people are often the most open minded as well. There’s definitely a correlation there.
Too true–as if a confident voice is a bad thing! I’ve often second-guessed my own motives, as if they’re selfish or arrogant, but having our own agendas for our passions does not make us sinister with selfishness or ego- it makes us people with plans! And people with plans are more prepared, and thus, more confident.
We have a responsibility to like ourselves and feel confident in our opinions and actions–it’s good to be reminded that it’s ok to share!
Never doubt yourself when you’re acting passionately. It’s highly unlikely that you’re making a wrong decision when it’s your passion talking.
I love your last thought about we being responsible of liking ourselves and being confident in out opinions. So true.
Thanks for sharing this Chelsie! Nice to meet you!
Yeaaah, it’s true. Besides, when I find somebody arrogant, or wrong… I just love to point it out… So it’s kind of dull if they do it first.
Besooooo!
Ovejita, thanks for your comment! Muy lindo verte por acá!
Interesting post, but I’m not sure I completely agree. Speaking passionately does not make you sound arrogant, but it makes you sound passionate. But if you are truly passionate, you shouldn’t be coming off as arrogant.
The problem, I think, is when people start calling themselves “experts” and “gurus” and “mavens.” When this starts happening it is a clear sign of arrogance. But is this passion? I don’t think so – rather it’s some amount of shameless self marketing and promotion, regardless of whether you have the passion to back it up.
Basically, what I’m saying is that if you’re truly passionate about your topic you HAVE to be humble. For instance if I’m passionate about politics then if someone points out that I’m wrong, obviously I have to take into account their viewpoint. If I make it seem like I’m right about everything in my posts, then where is the room for learning and for debate?
Have passion, but I think being humble and willing to learn is equally important.
I agree COMPLETELY with your second paragraph. And I also agree that being humble is a must.
But in my personal experience, passionate people ARE humble and willing to learn. Of course there are exceptions, like those so called “experts”, but I think those are very few. The problem comes when insecure people see passion as arrogance, and that’s where i think one has to understand that you can’t and shouldn’t change your speech. Not everyone will like what you say, but as long as you’re passionate, smart people will.
Totally agree Carlos. Reminds me of something from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — `Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.’ — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.
Amen David, amen. You can’t be great without some conflict. It’s just how life goes. Thanks for that amazing quote from Emerson, never heard of it before!