The Power of Pride

Pride is a virtue as well as a sin. It all depends on how pride is used. There is no harm is expressing your pride for something you have achieved. You can walk tall when you go up the stage to be awarded your gold medal.

Earlier this year I flew to Brisbane, Australia for my capping. As I sat with several hundred graduands I reflected on the three years I slogged to study while working full-time. That day was the culmination of my dedication to the task and at last I was proud to reap the rewards of my labour when I shook the Vice Chancellor’s hand and gained my Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics.

Migrants are proud people when it comes to educational and career achievements. In many cultures education and job title gives tremendous status and power. The paper certificate is often the ticket to ones future and employment. But when migrants enter another country they often find that their certificates and past positions do not command the same power, authority or status. They feel deflated and disillusioned and “demand” recognition at the interview. But this backfires.

I have seen far too often that migrants who hold such pride don’t get too far in a new country. The power of pride now has the power to destroy their career prospects. Unless one is willing to swallow ones’ pride and start afresh or start at a lower rung, one could be severely constrained. I was once a victim of this pride syndrome until I realised that my pride in the past was the impediment to my career in the new country of my choice. I then decided to choose the lowest rung on the employment ladder and within a very short time I was climbing mountains!

How proud are you? Are you willing to forego your status, your caste, your past position and be now proud to start at ground zero if you have to?

Would you agree with me about my point about the power of pride to make you or break you? Send me a note by clicking on the comments button below.