Schlagwort-Archive: Points of view

When self-confidence becomes hubris

The biggest hurdle on the way to fulfilling one’s initiatives is the insecurity concerning one’s capabilities – the existing roles; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT); the services offered and the associated building blocks (Business Model Canvas); above all, one’s strategy. The elements on which we build self-confidence are irritating because we only have a vague self-image. Additionally, we develop high expectations and overstate our available assets. We overlook our weaknesses and dangers while worshipping an unrealistic perfectionism. These contradictions create disturbing self-doubt that culminates in boastfulness. The situation is reinforced by coaches and consultants who make us believe that we need to underline our offers with a polished external image and confident appearance. They forget to mention that our bottom line is built on our actual capabilities. The result is an exaggerated complacence that easily turns into hubris.

In the step-by-step discovery of our possibilities, we are oriented towards competition. In doing so, we run the risk of losing touch with reality – in the end, the bar is always higher than that of the competitor. If we switch off our honest self-assessment, then blind pride and exaggerated self-love lead to an overestimation of our abilities – from healthy self-confidence straight into hubris. The following measures prevent this drift into unhealthy self-overestimation.

  • Fulfillable deliverables
    The description of your business model, self-image, and strategy provides the elements you will win your customers. The emphasis is on describing. For example, if you do not clarify your future in words and pictures, you cannot expect your clients’ buy-in. What matters is your feasible value proposition that is tailored to the target audiences you want to attract.
    Do not create expectations that you cannot fulfill.
  • Different points of view
    When developing, take different viewpoints to evaluate your business components with various scales – e.g., from the customer’s point of view, from the financial, design, and technical perspective. By doing so, you will also foster shared understanding.
    Focus on specific groups and avoid the “jack of all trades”, as you will never be able to make everyone happy with one solution.
  • Effective resonance groups
    The review should not be conducted in an elite circle of lateral thinkers in an ivory tower, but with essential internal and external stakeholders – from different levels, areas of expertise, regions, cultures, etc. This will provide comprehensive feedback.
    Try to get as varied responses as possible since you generate more results in a diverse group than if everyone works independently.
  • Open feedback culture
    The exchange of ideas is fast and uncontrolled. This spontaneously releases forces that nip individual suggestions in the bud. It leads to reluctance to express one’s opinion freely. Feedback should be shared to clarify what is objectively meant, and feedback is exchanged value-free, promptly, and privately.
    Avoid toxic responses on feedback by establishing rules that stifle disruptive criticism and encourage the open exchange of ideas.
  • Convincing self-portrayal
    In the end, it is all about an adequate preparation of your capabilities that raise appropriate expectations in the audience – without boastful and unfulfillable pomposity. Based on the measures you have taken so far, you develop your self-image, which you, your managers and employees, as well as partners, can believe in. You present yourself in the right light and generate momentum and commitment in your field.
    Solid self-assurance creates confidence and an authentic appearance – without hubris.

Bottom line: Rattling has been part of the handicraft for centuries. It is the way to attract attention. In the past, rattling was the soundtrack of a trade – mills, machines, tools, and looms rattled. Today, the clatter of the keyboard no longer reaches customers. To draw attention to ourselves, we need a customer-oriented self-presentation, which makes us stand out from the abundance of offers. If self-confidence lacks a foundation, it quickly leads to harmful arrogance. You need deliverable services that are convincingly presented. Look at your business model, strategy, and self-image from different angles. A diverse sounding board supports the evaluation with honest feedback. With an open feedback culture, various opinions are heard and can be realized. The result is a convincing self-presentation that shows your possibilities without exaggeration. Eventually, you prevent with this approach that your self-confidence becomes hubris.

 

The simple formula for a text

You have decided to put your “Hello world” in writing on the way. The finalized text already floats in front of your inner eye. However, the path from your imagination to paper or into the computer requires guard rails which keep you on track. In contrast to the content of a text, the formal composition follows a surprisingly simple formula.

The following outline provides simple hints for blog posts, articles or book chapters – also for you.

Organize your content!

You know what you want to write. You have your own personal style. You keep exchanging ideas with others. These are perfect conditions to develop your text. Now the task is to organize your train of thought. Know what you want to achieve, what messages you have, and in what order you develop your argument by making a sketch.

Track down your target group!

The focus on a specific target group is crucial for the impact of your text. Do you already have a notion of your readers? You have any idea what they are interested in? You know their jargon? With these ideas you will find suitable words, choose a text tone and encourage the readers to persevere ‘til the end of the text and eventually consider your text consciously. With PERYOU a kind of dialogue with the reader is possible that provokes new insights.

Use the signal effect of the title!

Most readers decide based on titles within one to two seconds whether to continue reading or not. This no longer applies only to the web, but also to printed matter. The headline sticks out of the flowing text and shows at a glance, what the reader can hope for. This is especially true for the headline of an article. In addition, paragraph/chapter headings provide quick access to the flow of thought. In a few words, you phrase solutions, advantages and incentives that bring new points of view to the target group.

Start with a glimpse!

Take advantage of an entry that further increases the stimulated interest. With this pretension, the introduction, you can create a frame for the reader that makes the later main part catchier. You place a comprehensible context, prepare for the main messages and provide each individual with reasons to continue to read. Anticipate the essential questions of your target group and provoke the readership with skeptical statements.

Convey the points of view!

Your actual messages and explanations unfold in the main section. This part is the most extensive and requires a suspense curve that captivates the reader. This is achieved with section titles (see above), which give the reader an overview and spurs on curiosity continuously. In addition, you should make sure that the content provides readers with explanations, options and value as well as clarifies the overall message.

End with an outlook for more!

Be careful not to abruptly leave the reader behind after your argument has been conclusively concluded. Make sure that your message still has an impact by creating a reverberation with an outlook. After the text is before the text. Summarize the new insights for the readers and create a bridge to further topics – it is advantageous if you already have the next text in mind and can refer to it.

Bottom line: You will already be dealing with the above topics. And somehow the points mentioned are clear to everyone. Nevertheless, it helps to refresh them from time to time. Of course you have your contents in front of your eyes. And you know who you’re writing for. You know the signal effect of a title. And you’ll probably use an introduction to effectively frame your messages and to look outside the box. Yet, it is always helpful to be aware of the above variables, which make up the simple formula. Not to forget the additional design elements that can further enhance the expediency of a text, such as the page layout, font sizes and formats, as well as visualizations of all kinds.