Arrogant? Or just confident?
Have you ever been labeled "arrogant"? For me, it's a theme that has been with me since I was young. My grandmother once told my mother, "Keep an eye on her, she can still get arrogant." That statement stuck, and later the stamp came back, too. Why? Because I dared to voice an opinion, confidently let my voice be heard, or was successful at something. That apparently evoked something in others. For a long time I thought: Is this something about me, or about them? Was it jealousy, misunderstanding or disinterest?
But fair is fair, sometimes I also got in the way of myself. My intellect, sensitivity or ego sometimes made me less able to connect with myself and others. In recent years, that has changed. Thanks to life experience and work on myself, I embrace my multifaceted talents, not from an "above position," but as an equal sparring partner. Because the more I recognize my own growth, the more I can see that of others. Every person has wonderful talents, just sometimes still unknown, unused or in development. The realization that 'arrogance' is often projected by a feeling of inferiority in the other person has helped me to look more mildly at myself and others.
These days I speak confidently on stages and in various forums. And you know what's striking? That label "arrogant" seems to have disappeared. People feel that my intention is pure: I grant everyone growth, development and success. My ego has nothing to do with that anymore.Do you recognize this? How do you deal with the balance between self-assurance and arrogance?
Photo taken in the council chamber of Zoetermeer where I raise my voice to strengthen the movement from Care to Health together with delegate Mariëtte van Leeuwen, alderman Bouke Velzen, lifestyle GP Joriet Kanbier-Schneider and Bregje Thomassen
