By: Iyo_Embong

It’s all about attitude. Be it at home or anywhere, a good attitude is an asset.

At the same time, a bad or worse still, a know-it-all attitude, could pose serious threats to your personal growth and alienate you in all places. While a “know-it-all” can be avoided like the plague otherwise, dealing with such an individual can become quite challenging.

A person with such an I-know-it-best attitude may think he’s an edge above his colleagues, giving him an upper hand; however, the situation may not be likewise. It’s like being a living breathing walkie-talkie encyclopaedia – with answers for just about anything and everything!

It’s easy to be perceived as a know-it-all and not even realise it. Unfortunately most of us have started off with “Did you know…?” even when we weren’t asked for our opinion! It is not always considered a great thing. It can make others allergic to you and alienate you. It takes away the mystery that life has to offer.

A lot of the times we think we have it all “figured out,” we think we know it best. When you’re good at what you do, and with experience in life you develop confidence since you do know-it-most, don’t let your know-how sit in your pocket. Make sure you share your know-how when you’re asked. And, when you actually really ‘know’ what you’re talking about. But remember, you don’t know-it-all! So, know when to stop being a know-it-all. Know when to say “What do you think?” and listen and learn from those around you.

He’s such a “Know-It-All.” “Might as well call her ‘Miss Smarty Pants” and etc..  Could any of these terms describe you? If so, beware: no matter what variety of language, they are all labels for the same bad attitude: Arrogance.

Arrogant people have somehow acquired the notion that they are better than others, and they make sure everyone knows it. Their attitude has one goal: making sure the other person clearly recognizes the message: “I’m better than you.”And that also implies – at least in his or her mind – that everyone else is inferior. After all, if he or she is the Know-It-All, then you’re the Know Nothing! We’re talking plain arrogance. They often are also self-centered, rude, competitive, and selfish.

When kids are little, we may think it’s cute when they volunteer all the answers or have a sarcastic comeback. The mistake is thinking they are clever, funny, or even “beyond their years.” Be warned: you’re really dealing with the early stages of arrogance. If not put in their place, the young smart aleck can turn into an older arrogant know-it-all. The simplest cause is that we’ve mislabelled their smart-aleck attitude as clever or witty: in reality, there’s really nothing cute or witty about it in the least. Their snide remarks and quick retorts are often pointed slams at another person or shameless attempts to get attention through laughs and being “cute.”

There’s another reason kids turn arrogant, and that’s our fault as well. Our parental pride can take a turn when we begin showing them off by parading their talents. “Come on, Krystel, everyone wants to hear you sing/dance (or whatever it is).” Of course we’re proud, but there’s a hidden danger in flaunting our kids’ talents! They assume that the world revolves solely around them and they are better than others. There’s also the danger that our kids will begin to think they have to keep performing, keep showing off their talents, to gain our love or approval. For this very reason why I did not allow any of my children to take up modelling when we were ask many times before since they were little children.

Now don’t get me wrong: I’m not debating your child’s intelligence, beauty, talent, or skills or doubting your pride in your offspring. He or she could well be a budding Bill Gates, Mozart, Einstein, Margot Fonteyn, or even the next Picasso. And he or she may deserve recognition and acknowledgment for her strengths. But this issue is not about how bright your child is; how good looking; how extraordinarily her math, science, art talents; or how profound her beauty. Instead, it’s all about her preoccupation of making sure everyone knows he or she is better than the other kids. Arrogant children’s methods of letting others in on their superiority are usually quite tactless and always insensitive. After all, these children dwell on their own capabilities and are usually quite blind to those of others.

There always are deeper underlying causes to any bad attitude that often are overlooked. For instance, an arrogant person may attempt to make others think his ideas are better because deep down, he doesn’t feel superior at all: in reality he feels inferior. But boasting or bragging is his way of trying to convince others of his talents. He might be jealous or resentful of other friends, so to get back he has to play the “I’m better than you” game. Or he may feel his relationship with you is contingent on what he knows or does instead of who he is. So he is forever trying to prove himself to gain your love or approval.

Whatever the cause, make no mistake. If this arrogant attitude continues, it can have deadly consequences. No one appreciates a person with an “I’m superior” attitude. That’s why we have too many dismal social lives. What they desperately needs is a strong helping of humble pie, so make sure you give them a big piece soon. Make sure you teach them humility, graciousness, and modesty to replace the arrogance that will prevent good character and ultimate fulfilment.

Your attitude is an expression of your true values, beliefs and expectations. Are you a source of comfort and strength to others, or are you a source of discomfort, hurts and a constant ‘pain’?

By: Iyo_Embong 2012©Copyright. Any distribution, reproduction or copying of any part of this article is forbidden. If you wish to use this article please only use the first 2-3 lines as an excerpt and link back directly to the article along with the Authors name.