One way you can get out of your way is to name your gremlin. A gremlin in this sense is a self-defeating behavior that reappears in life, work, and relationships that prevents you from achieving a new level of success. Like in the movie by the same name, gremlins usually are latent and easy to live with until they are activated by external or internal factors, either past, present, or perceived future. Naming them can help you to be aware of your self-defeating behavior so you may make intentional decisions that are edifying and rewarding to all involved. The introductory article to this series is at Get Out of Your Own Way .

Compared to the other gremlins, Arrogance gremlin is one of the most difficult to deal with—kind of like Stripe. Most of the time Arrogance appears in his softer form named Pride who is usually harmless like Vanity Smurf. However, Pride easily morphs into his more dangerous personality named Arrogance. We usually can tolerate and even love Pride gremlin since we should all have a healthy self-esteem, however Arrogance is like Pride on steroids, or in this case, water and food after midnight. (Remember the instructions that came with the original gremlin Gizmo? Don’t add water and give not food after midnight.)

Arrogance is ugly…I mean he is much less attractive than Stripe or the other gremlins in this series of articles. He is not a servant leader but he is a self-serving leader. The problem is that others usually do not see him in his true form. He masks his arrogance by rewarding others with what they need as long as they give him what he needs…cover for being arrogant.  He develops co-dependent relationships with others who will reward him with praise. If in a leadership position, he will surround himself with yes-men and yes-women and dare anyone to oppose his agenda. When others try to hold Arrogance accountable, he will threaten to retaliate but will sometimes retreat to other supporters claiming that others are being unfair. He becomes divisive and then steps in as the peacemaker. Of course this is simply another way that he gains strength. Give Arrogance praise, promotion, and power and he will be even more difficult to deal with.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

If Arrogance shows up in your family, workplace, church, or business, you had better name him and contain him right away. The longer you delay insures eventual disaster. Be sure to define boundaries around Arrogance and hold him within them. Otherwise he will spread and run over everyone. When Arrogance genuinely falls after confrontation, someone needs to be compassionate without re-inflating Pride with Arrogance.

Do you know someone with Arrogance gremlin? What will you do to improve the relationship and even help them? Did you discover that you possess the Pride or Arrogance gremlin?” What is your action plan to keep Arrogance in check?

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Read the Complete Series

Introduction to Gremlins: Get Out of Your Own Way!

Name Your Gremlin: Blamer

Name Your Gremlin: Denial

Name Your Gremlin: Scaredy Gremlin

Name Your Gremlin: Jekyll and Hyde

Name Your Gremlin: Pigpen Gremlin

Gremlins and Guardians: Integrity

An executive coach can be a valuable asset to help you minimize damage to relationships and is well worth the investment.

Disciple-Making regards,

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is

a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

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