The Self-Destructive Habits of Good Companies: ...And How to Break Them

Chapter 3. Arrogance: Pride Before the Fall

The standard definition of arrogance goes something like this: an offensive display of superiority or self-importance, pride, haughtiness, insolence, or disdain. Arrogance has everything to do with an inflated sense of self; it’s liking the sound of your own voice too much to listen to anybody else. Arrogance is an overblown self-image that just doesn’t square with the facts. In ancient Greek drama, arrogance—or hubris—was the “tragic flaw” that led to the downfall of great heroes. In today’s world, the same flaw has caused mighty companies to stumble. Let’s consider a number of scenarios that are likely to give rise to arrogance.

When Exceptional Achievement in the Past Warps Your Perception of Present ...