v 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Here is a very ordinary human characteristic – wanting to impress other people. In fact, I can remember saying to members of my own staff who were going for interviews “Learn to talk yourself up – sell yourself and your valuable experience. If you don’t, nobody will buy you.” How to do that in an appropriately humble and gentle fashion will never be an easy call, but there is a world of difference between arrogance and considered confidence which an interviewer will soon pick up.
So here is a question about your own character for you to reflect on.
How do you deliberately or unconsciously try to impress others?
Is it through the smooth limo you buy, or the elegance of your home?
Might it be through your educational or cultural achievements, your choir, or your artistic ability, your wonderful (grand) children, or exceptionally talented friends. Some might even take special delight in ill-health and for ever moan about (boast about!) the treatments they receive and the pains they so gallantly endure.
The simple fact is that we all have an in-built desire to impress others and all find our individual ways of doing it.
Do you ever recognise this trait in yourself – the impressive one-upmanship that can so easily bedevil our conversations? If so, you might have to learn the priceless ability to bite your tongue and allow others to have their say and appear more impressive than yourself.