Arrogant Engineers 37

[sbozy25]

Ok... So someone tell me why this is.....

I notice it with most customers and suppliers I work with, as well as my-self from time to time. I even notice it in these forums.

What is it that makes engineers so arrogant? I was asked this earlier today by someone that thougth i was being arrogant because I told them a convesion from mm to inches was easy. In these forums, if you read most of our posts... you will even notice there is a sence of this arrogance in a good portion of the responses....

Is it because we are for the most part well educated and that makes us this way? Or is it that we are all "nerds" and do not have the best interpersonal communication skills? Or are we just a large group of cocky know it alls?

I don't know, perhaps arrogance is not the word I am looking for, but you all know what I am getting at.

 

[sns777]

Bradpa77,

Quote "I am proud of it, but I don't feel the need to advertise it or flaunt it in front of people."

So you say that you do not need to "flaunt it in front of people" Doesn't this statement itself sound a little arrogant?

I mean you are assuming that you have something to "flaunt" to begin with, right?

A truly humble person would think that he doesn't have anything to flaunt.

Just something to think about

 

[KENAT]

gabbot, I KNOW I have nothing to flaunt but I'm pretty sure I still come across as arrogant sometimes.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[HgTX]

Does humility preclude awareness that one knows something that someone else doesn't??

Hg

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[Maui]

Arrogance is an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions. The competent engineer does not base their conclusions on presumptuous claims or assumptions - they base their conclusions on facts. If they are aware of the limits to their own knowledge and ability, and can speak with confidence on the topics that are in their realm of expertise, this may leave an impression of arrogance on those who lack a similar capability or knowledge base. But it isn't arrogance.

A competent engineer does not feel the need to prove himself/herself to anyone.

Maui

 

[TheTick]

Very well stated, Maui!

 

[Maui]

Thanks for the compliment Tick, and the star.

Maui

 

[Heckler]

Very well stated Maui but as I read this thread I am reminded of a universal truth "pride will come before the fall". When I speak I always remember there is often someone that knows more then me.

It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, than to open it and remove all doubt. – Mark Twain


Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
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_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

"Avoid the base hypocrisy of condemning in one man what you pass over in silence when committed by another." -- Theodore Roosevelt

 

[sms]

There seem to me a general assumption that self confidence is arrogance, and it is not. I am experienced enough to know when I am on solid or shaky ground, and if I am on solid ground I will stand on it. That may appear arrogant, but it does not meet Maui's definition.

If I am on solid ground I will also do everything I can to educate those around me why I am taking the stand that I am taking, which is where I take issue with Maui:

A competent engineer is willing and able to prove himself/herself to anyone, which in the long run makes everyone more competent.






"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" Oddball, "Kelly's Heros" 1970

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[Maui]

Sms, I disagree with your interpretation of my previous post. I stated that a competent engineer does not feel the need to prove himself/herself to anyone. This does not mean that a competent engineer is unwilling to educate those around them by providing insight into the reasons for their decisions. Good mentors will provide junior engineers with this type of information on a regular basis if they expect them to improve and grow. My statement should be interpreted to mean that a competent engineer does not require the approval of others, especially those who are less competent than they are in their area of expertise, to validate their work. A competent engineer will know how well they did the job at hand, and whether or not it met the criteria that they were provided. They do not require the validation of others in order to make that determination, and so do not feel the need to prove themselves to anyone.

 

[csd72]

This was said by someone with regards to climbing mountains, but it probably applies to some questions from laymen regarding engineering

'If you have to ask, then you will never truly understand.'

csd

 

[sms]

Maui, my apologies, I did indeed misinterpret your post. You cleared it up nicely.






"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" Oddball, "Kelly's Heros" 1970

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of the Eng-Tips Forums.

 

[shin25]

I would say, it's probably not the level of intelligence or eductaion or knowledge that makes an engineer arrogant. It's probably the person inside him makes him one of that.