Excellence and Arrogance

Many people are excellent at what they do, and become well known for it, whether it is in a small corporation or a large team or enteprise.

Excellence is often a justifcation for arrogance. This is true for the person who is excellent, and often even for the recepients of the output of that excellence. You may have overheard or even been part of a conversation where someone said;

"That guy is so arrogant, I really dont like him", 
"Well I guess he can afford to be arrogant, he is the best at what he does"

Here's the thing:

Excellence, when mixed with Arrogance, is fruitless.
A tree may look so good, and many may marvel at the tree and its stature and the shade it provides. But its the fruit that causes multiplication.

Excellence mixed with Humility is Fruitful.

When fruit drops, the seed is buried and grows, there is the potential for an exponential multiplication of excellence. 

At best, Excellence with Arrogance will result in a "Cloning", or a "Copycat". Mere addition. This is because Arrogance disempowers, and disillusions a team. Arrogance keeps the spotlight on the one who is excellent, and when that individual is no longer in that position, all his excellence disappears with him.

Excellence with Humility empowers, inspires and encourages the team members in a team to grow in their own, individual capacity.

The amazing thing about true fruitfulness is that once the fruit drops, and the seed grows, there is no tie or link or dependance on the initial source of that fruit. The new trees owe the old tree nothing, and there is no expectation of the old tree from the new! Humility!

Ask that dangerous question to the people around you? 
"Do I sometimes come across as arrogant?" 

For an interesting read which got me thinking about this, have a look at this blog on Steve Jobs, and how long his "Excellence" will last into the future.