I’m doing something a little different today and I hope you enjoy it.
Today is the first in new series of videos I’ll be putting out called “5 Minute Thoughts”. (Feel free to subscribe to the new YouTube channel for Pocket Changed.)
In this first video I take a few minutes to discuss a key difference between two very important ways people can view you: Confident or Cocky.
One is a strong trait for any leader (Confidence) and the other can tarnish your reputation (Cockiness).
The two examples I use in the video are Michael Jordan vs. Lebron James & Jay-Z vs. Kanye West.
(If you can’t see the video above, you can watch it on the original post.)
What are some other examples of people that are cocky or people that are simply just confident? It is a fine line to toe, so let me know in the comments below. I’m interested to hear what you think.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Kanye West has a little bit of cockiness? Man, Kanye West redefined the word! Ha!
I definitely agree with you on this one. Jay-Z is my favorite rapper and has been for over a decade. He is definitely confident. When you listen to him, you can tell that he knows how talented he is. But he NEVER shows that without displaying the facts. And he does so in a manner that isn’t offensive to others. He’s just stating his claims.
Kanye, on the other hand, is not a rap legend. I’m sorry. He’s just affiliate with a rap legend or two. That’s it. I don’t think he has earned the right to be so cocky as a rapper. However, I do believe he has earned the right to be a confident (like JayZ) producer (beat maker). He is one of the best at that. For some reason, though, he doesn’t brag on it nearly as much.
I don’t understand it! All I know is that confidence is awesome… and maybe there’s a little bit of room for cockiness in the right situation. All cockiness is a no-go, though. I agree with you.
Haha, that’s a good point Sean. Displaying just the facts is a surefire way to stay within the confidence side of things.
I agree with you that as a beat maker, I’ll allow Kanye to be a cocky. He’s one of the best at that.
Nice work Caleb - doing videos instead of text takes confidence. Probably some cockiness is a plus too.
I see the power of video in a Gladwell-esque “Blink” way in which people immediately form a strong impression of you — good or bad. Therefore I think it can be great to build a strong community. However, for my own future videos (which I’m also targeting at 5 minutes a pop) I’m strongly considering transcribing them and putting a text box below for people who don’t want to spend even 5 minutes.
I’m enjoying your blog.
Thanks Erick. I’m working towards doing more video (on this site and the others I’m a part of), so I had to start somewhere!
I considered doing a transcript, but most of the time reading a transcript would take just as long and people could always just start the video and minimize it.
I’ll work in bullet points after the video next time for the person that only has 15 seconds to spare.
Love this distinction Caleb. It feels like something I knew deep down, but had never articulated so clearly. Those are some really great examples too! (and +1 to Sean: Kanye is NOT a rap legend, hah). You’re right, it’s a very fine line and crossing to cocky will make people like you less.
For me focusing on desired outcomes instead of the means. So “I want the ball because I can win the game” vs “I want the ball because I’m better than you guys.” Hard to articulate attitudes, and that’s my best shot at it.
I like it Deacon.
Great job Caleb. Every time I try to do video my voice goes up aand thins out and I sound like a 15 year old. That’s a powerful unconscious expropriation of management of our vocal apparatus, eh? Speaking of psychology I often see parents try to insert esteem into their children with complimetns. It never works. The result is often ‘cockiness’. There’s no substitute for simply knowing you’re good at doing something and putting that out there. Note that is dependent upon actually being good at it. Love what you’re doing.
Caleb, I like the new video series. I wonder if insecurity causes people to be cocky?