Basil Jarrett | Look out for hubristic individuals

HUBRIS. FROM the Greek word ‘hybris’, originally meaning “the intentional use of violence to humiliate or degrade”. Not one of the most popular words you’ll hear on the streets here in Jamaica, but once you understand its current meaning, you’ll recognise it when you see it.

The word today is taken to mean excessive pride, overconfidence, arrogance or overambition. If you’ve ever heard someone being described as being ‘hype’, ‘boasy’, ‘full of himself’ or believing that he is ‘more than’ others, then you’ve probably encountered hubris. But hubris is not to be confused with self-confidence and self-belief, as it is most often seen as a fatal flaw that eventually brings down the hubristic individual. Hubrists tend to think that they are beyond the confines of human capability, that the law does not apply to them and that ethics, morals and principles are for the weak and unambitious. Think Napoleon and the Russian campaign of 1812, where the little general, over-buoyed by his past victories in Europe and the sudden rise of his empire, ignored good advice, sound reasoning and proper military planning to stage one of the most disastrous campaigns in military history.

Napoleon’s loss of his army and his empire is not very different from what we see today as so many of our contemporary business, government and political leaders continue to fall prey to hubris. Unsound corporate decisions, violations of ethical and regulatory codes of conduct, disregard for the constricts of law and good governance, many of today’s leaders, like Napoleon before them, have convinced themselves that despite the obstacles they face, they will succeed through sheer strength of will and an almost divine right to be literally and figuratively above the law.

While the verdict may still be out on Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Brexit debacle is probably the most recent example of hubris on a global scale. When David Cameron went against sound advice and elected to hold a simple referendum on EU membership, he was being motivated by the unsure outcome of the Scottish referendum on independence. Cameron’s gamble was overconfident, overambitious and overestimated. He believed that he could be the conservative party’s hero who, once and for all, quietened the euro-sceptics who distrusted the EU. The rest is history.

EASY TO SPOT

Without naming one single individual here in Jamaica, it is clear that we too struggle with this malady as it is so easy to spot. Common signs of hubris include personal recklessness and little consideration that there could be unexpected outcomes and consequences from a particular action. It is also marked by excessive confidence in one’s ability and judgement and an unshakeable belief that they are unaccountable to anyone. They show disdain and distrust for the opinions of others and in their own eyes, they are never wrong, possessing an almost divine guarantee to succeed in whatever they do.

Recent events in Jamaica involving elected officials, CEOs, directors, and lawyers, certainly suggest that hubris is the root cause of many of the challenges that we face today, particularly those that involve corruption, breaking the law or trying to circumvent rules and guidelines. Could hubris be behind the high level of dishonesty and lawlessness that we face? Are we more hubristic than the rest of the world, or is it just that our societal guard rails are not as effective in containing these self-destructive tendencies?

Don’t get me wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being supremely confident and having a bit of swagger. When it becomes a problem is when good sense and good judgement become so clouded that it blinds the individual from realising that their decisions are bad for them and those around them. There is an almost illogical stubbornness in the face of tremendous evidence that they’ve gone a bit too far, taken a wrong course of action, or as we now commonly call it, being “wrong and strong”.

But just what drives this hubris and how can we be watchful for it? Hubristic individuals are usually narcissists who seek position and adulation simply to satisfy their own vanity and self-absorption. The hubrist isn’t born overnight as recent successes and triumphs are typically what drive that irrational belief in one’s skill. The exaggerated accolades and adulation of others can also drive hubris, as can past instances where they not only flouted the law, but benefited significantly from it. This creates a certain sense of entitlement and privilege and an unwillingness to see the obvious. Once consumed with hubris and convinced of infallibility, these persons often become blind to the changing times and environment and therein lies their downfall. People around them get smarter, wiser, more courageous, while they remain committed to the simple formula which brought them success in the first place. Eventually, society, the law or time catches up to them and there begins their demise.

Major Basil Jarrett is a communications strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting, a communications consulting firm specialising in crisis communications and reputation management. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.