by Brent M. Jones (Published on LinkedIn in May 2024)

Arrogance can be positive if it involves breaking stereotypes and stepping outside one's comfort zone, but that isn’t usually the result.

Intellectual arrogance is a set of characteristics that tends to blind an otherwise intelligent person from recognizing and learning the truth. Intellectual humility is the recognition that the things you believe in might be wrong; a benefit of intellectual humility is the recognition that one's perspective will always be limited.

This recognition leaves a person well-positioned to learn as much as possible from peers and subordinates. Examples of intellectual humility: I question my opinions, positions, and viewpoints because they could be wrong. I reconsider my thoughts when presented with new evidence. I recognize the value in views that are different from my own. I accept that my beliefs and attitudes may be wrong. I am willing to learn from younger people with less experience, often referred to as reverse mentors. An example of this would be those who are technologically savvy or skilled in something new or different.

Intellectual Arrogance is not just a personal trait; it's a barrier to your growth. When you believe you're superior to others, you expose yourself to new knowledge and experiences. This self-imposed isolation can hinder your professional and personal development, preventing you from reaching your full potential.

In an Inc. Magazine article titled "Only One Thing Will Hold You Back From Achieving Great Things in Life," Warren Buffett states that the one bad habit of paying close attention to is ”Intellectual Arrogance” and ignoring it becomes self-destructive in the long run, and not doing something to rid yourself of it may hold you back

The need to show people you think you're smarter than they are is one way to derail yourself from building solid relationships. To counter the effects of intellectual arrogance, the most intelligent people stretch their knowledge by being open to soaking up philosophical wisdom or even just inside the latest developments of others.

In other words, being clever without arrogance means acknowledging that you don't know everything. Because, let's face it: if you're the most intelligent person in the room, you're in the wrong room.