[originaltext]Moderator: Welcome to Leadership Insider. It is an online cou

Moderator:
    Welcome to Leadership Insider. It is an online course that invites the most thoughtful and influential people in business contribute to answers questions about careers and leadership. Let me introduce to you Sanjay Sanghoee, COO of Delos Capital, who will answer the question "How do you stay humble at work?"
Sanjay Sanghoee:
    In today’s business environment, confidence is a key attribute for success. However, there is a difference between confidence and assertiveness, and the best professionals are humble enough to know that.
    I first learned this lesson in investment banking. Desperately wanting to be taken seriously, I walked around to deceive my colleagues and offered as many opinions to my bosses as I possibly could. This worked for a while, but then my unwarranted confidence led to setbacks in the form of careless mistakes and lack of attention to details, which was noticed by my superiors as well as clients.
    While it was tough to realize that I was not the financial genius I imagined myself to be, it also taught me to be humble and recognize that I had a lot more work to do to become proficient in my field. As a result, I focused first on improving my craft and actual skills. My fake confidence became genuine and that evolution has helped me throughout my career.
    These four rules can help you blend humility into your professional skills without compromising your career.
    First, think twice before acting. Never make an executive decision that you are not really empowered to, or that is not backed up with sufficient knowledge, just to impress your boss. If you really want to impress your superiors, or if you are a leader and want to impress your team, do your homework first. A bad decision made in the heat of eagerness will hurt your credibility in the long run.
    Second, ask plenty of questions. Obviously, not every question goes to your boss’ desk and sometimes it’s better to ask your peers or even your juniors first. While we all want to avoid exposing our weaknesses to our colleagues, the reverse also holds true. Your colleagues will respect you for having the guts to admit your lack of knowledge about something.
    Third, admit your mistakes and avoid being defensive. I’m not suggesting that you spend weeks apologizing for every oversight, but making a mistake but refusing to admit it makes no good. It exhibits insecurity and a lack of professionalism. "Never complain, never explain" is outdated. That’s called being stubborn, not confident.
    Fourth, create your own professional goals. Setting expectations for yourself and exceeding them is even more satisfied than surpassing someone else’s standards, and in the eyes of an observant superior, an assuring sign that you deserve career advancement.
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17. What kind of setback did the speaker experience in investment banking?
18. What is the consequence of a bad decision in the heat of eagerness?
19. What does refusal to admit one’s mistake indicate?