No BS Ways to Deal With Arrogant People
Gain positive attributes to balance their negativity
Confidence can be a good thing until it’s not. There’s a tipping point. When confidence is overshadowed by arrogance it’s how a person acts that becomes telling of their character.
You’ve undoubtedly dealt with the kind of person I’m referring to. Likely a slimy feeling crawls over your skin, and there’s not enough physical distance that can grow warm and fuzzy feelings.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle described pride as the “crown of the virtues.” Pride and arrogance tend to run together like brothers. They are “as thick as thieves.”
Still, there are positive attributes you can glean each time you deal with arrogant people.
Keep Your Self-confidence Intact
You know who you are and what you stand for. Let them be petty, start rumors, and be as hard to get along with as they want to be. They will try to get under your skin and issue slants and digs. Don’t sacrifice your character for them.
Practice Diplomacy
An arrogant person who is full of themselves is trying to push your buttons. They want you to respond harshly. The best poison you can give them is to offer no pleasure in responding when they lash out. When they act like children the best thing you can do is to be the adult and not respond.
Do a Good Job Anyway
Doing a good job is hard work. An arrogant person is often above doing hard work. She wants a shortcut without doing the hard work that requires getting sweaty and dirty hands. They balk at tedious activities that are below their perceived station. Do a good job anyway.
Don’t be Contentious
Arguing with an arrogant person is a fruitless task. You know they are wrong. They know they are wrong, and they don’t care. Their actions are more about their self-worth than having anything to do with you. You’ll meet a lot of these people in life.
Calling out their lies will exhaust you quickly. Don’t give them satisfaction. Whatever this interaction is or isn’t, it’s good practice for future encounters. Don’t sink to their level.
Limit Shared Information
Keep the conservation about surface-level topics. How’s the weather? How about those Yankees? Did you see the latest episode of your favorite show?
Be polite and respectful. Any tinge of malice will foster their already low self-worth, and they are likely to twist any negativity into ammunition to use against you and foster untruths.
Change the Topic
Arrogant people like to be dominant. Often they create a reality for themselves that has no basis in reality. You can’t break through their tough exterior and it’s not worth the effort to try. Stay as Switzerland — be neutral. Don’t be sucked into their need to be the center of attention.
Disengage and Stay Focused
Don’t get overly involved. If you don’t have to deal with this person, distance yourself as much as possible. Protect your headspace. Lock into business as much as possible and leave interactions as quickly as possible. Stay focused on the matter at hand and disconnect idle chit-chat.
Make Careful Choices
If you’re not conscious of your choices, you may invite unwelcome repercussions. Pick your battles carefully. Do your best not to anger anyone and protect yourself in the process.
Sooner or later the bubble arrogant people put around themselves will pop. When it does, you’ll have built up your skills for dealing with them and you’ll already have quietly distanced yourself without saying “I told you so.”
“All human interactions are opportunities either to learn or to teach.” — M. Scott Peck
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