“I don’t trust anyone who’s nice to me but rude to the waiter. Because they would treat me the same way if I were in that position.”

~ Muhammad Ali ~   

    We now live in a culture where it seems overconfidence and arrogance are the prime qualities that people use to promote themselves and their products. It’s very much a culture of “Fake it till you make it” or as I see it “Fake it until you fail”.   

    I have come across too many supposed experts in my fields of investigation, close protection, firearms, etc., who when tested outside of their comfort zones fail completely. The reactions when they fail tend not to be of acceptance and willingness to learn but usually more arrogance and denial which leads to frustration, which makes them look immature and stupid. You can never admit you’re wrong or take responsibility for your actions in today’s world, right?   

    Usually, the next phase of behavior with such people after their egos have been dented is a campaign of backstabbing, attempts to discredit those who offended them, and then general petty behavior due to their insecurities and jealousy. Needless to say, such people should be dumped and avoided unless, of course, you can make money off them without too much liability.   

    Baseless overconfidence and arrogance are classic signs of insecurity within a person as is aggression without reason. If you’re confident in your abilities and self, then your actions and skills will speak for themselves. Yes, we all need to promote our work but keep it real and respectful.   

    I started this article with a quote from Muhammad Ali, who could be classified professionally in his fighting days as overconfident and arrogant. But remember he put his money where his mouth was and proved himself time and time again both professionally and personally. Muhammad Ali was without a doubt a great man that worked hard and took the beatings that life gave him and persevered.  

    First impressions of people can always be deceiving due to many factors and with initial meetings you need to remember this. A wise man will show you little until they know you, whereas a clown will put on a show. Remember this works both ways.   

    Over the years some of the most powerful, influential, and dangerous people I have met gave little or nothing about themselves away or their status during initial or even follow-up meetings. They had nothing to prove, they were just getting on with life and doing business.   

    One story I tell is from London in the 1990s where I did one security job, that turned out to be keeping an eye on some artwork at a pre-sale showing for some luxury apartments that were being developed in the East End. The top-floor apartments had amazing views of the city and were not for those who did not have a few million pounds to spare.   

    When I first got to the building, which used to be an old factory or warehouse, there was a janitor in the lobby sweeping the floors and tidying up who pointed me in the direction of the event organizers. Well, it turned out the person who I thought was the janitor owned the building. Apparently, he owned a construction company and had the foresight years before to buy that and a few other old and derelict factories and warehouses, which he was now developing.

    This person whom I, and I am sure others assessed to be a janitor, was most likely worth a lot more money than the vast majority of socialites, corporate lawyers, stockbrokers, and playboys that were there dreaming about buying one of his apartments. I have other stories of other such people, and this is why I don’t take people at face value.   

    In today’s world of social media influencers and corrupt mainstream media such things as reality, truth, and honesty are hard to find. First impressions do count but more importantly, so do all the follow-up impressions people give to you and you give to others.   

    It takes time to know if people can be trusted or valued, the quickest way I have found to test this is to give people a little responsibility and a little credit and see how their egos handle it. Does it go to their head and in their minds, they become the king of kings, or do they stay focused on achieving the set goals for the benefit of everyone involved…   

    Everyone has their own agenda and goals; we all want to make money and be successful. Sadly, for many people due to their egos or arrogance, they cut their own throats not only before they start, but also when they get too comfortable with their successes…

Orlando W.

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Social Navigation: A Practical Survival Guide For Human Interactions
In this book I’m sharing some of my experiences, in addition to giving you hard love advice on how to deal with those who you encounter.
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