Ten years ago, I felt inferior when I saw anyone better than me in any aspect such as better communication, better qualification, better CTC or better designation. It had a huge impact on me, and I always had to struggle with whatever I wanted to say or do with them because of my complex. How much ever I tried to get rid of it, it won’t go.
In 2012, I had a late evening presentation to Top Management of a very big client company, as usual, I felt inferior for no reason, even though, I’ve done my work properly and the presentation didn’t go up to my expectations.
That night, I checked out of a 5 star hotel (booked by the client. I stayed, of course, with my inferiority complex) and proceeded to catch a train to another client in a very remote location of Northern India. My waitlisted AC ticket never got confirmed. I took the decision to go by unreserved compartment. As always, UR coach was jam packed and seeing people there, I felt unconsciously SUPERIOR to them. I was so judgemental that I found fault in their every travel etiquette. I was so furious, as to why they are not up to my mark. The journey felt unpleasant to say the least.
Next day morning, the other client had booked a SUV for pick up from station and as I was moving towards the guest house, I was reflecting the previous day’s events and strangely realized that along with my well-established inferiority complex, I also had a strong but passive superiority complex. That moment, I realised that to get rid of my perennial inferiority complex, I have to get rid of my invisible superiority complex. As I judge others, I feel judged always!
From that day, I have consciously taken efforts not to feel superior with anybody and as a result, I am slowly getting rid of my inferiority complex. To be honest, I still carry traces of my inferiority complex but have come long way from what it was 10 years ago.
In business or in life, to address what is invisible is more important to achieve results in what is visible 🙂