When Big Egos Meet Quiet Conviction
As a founder, I meet a lot of people.
Founders, funders, suit-clad speakers, TED talkers, unicorn chasers, even the occasional philosopher in a Patagonia fleece.
Some walk in with energy.
Some walk in with ego.
And a few… walk in like they’re God’s gift to Earth.
Let’s be honest some of them probably are half way there.
Brilliant minds. Sharp as knives. Backed by books, exits, degrees, or just the divine talent of figuring stuff out. They can do things I simply can’t and I respect that. Immensely.
But here’s the truth:
I’ve never once felt small in their presence.
Not even a flicker of intimidation.
Because I’m not trying to be them.
I’m just too busy being me — and that’s a full-time gig.
See, I know what I bring to the table.
They can’t do what I do either.
They don’t carry my scars, my wins, my weird wiring.
They don’t know how I survive chaos, dance with broken systems, or lead through pure madness with a smile and a sledgehammer.
That’s the real flex in the battle of ego vs self-awareness knowing your chaos is your craft.
This is the essence of a founder mindset: owning your lane, flaws and all.
We’re just different breeds of beasts.
And I’m okay not being the smartest in the room as long as I’m the one who gets sht done*.
In fact, I’d much rather hang out with the brilliant jerk who knows he’s brilliant than the clueless overconfident who thinks he’s a genius because he has 5,000 LinkedIn likes on a Canva post about hustle
Overrated confidence is more dangerous than earned ego.
This is the tricky edge between confidence vs arrogance — and too many fall on the wrong side.
At least the egotists have done something.
The problem is, too many confuse noise for knowledge — classic ego vs self-awareness mismatch.
The fake “smart ones”?
They’re just loud. And in the way.
So here’s my filter:
You don’t need to impress me.
But don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
Because I’m not competing.
I’m building.
And I respect those who know their power, own their craft, and don’t waste time posturing.
It’s not about being loud — it’s about being real. Ego vs self-awareness. Every single time.
That’s authentic leadership to me.
We’re all in our own lanes — I’m just too busy flooring it in mine.
No intimidation. No inferiority. No worship.
Just mutual respect… or silent judgment.
Because when you truly understand self-worth in leadership, you stop needing to perform.
PS: If you think this is about you, it probably is.
And if you know it’s not, we should grab coffee.
