The office is also a political arena. If you are popular, then people are less likely to oppose your proposals and ideas. Since success nowadays is based to a large extent on how you treat other people, you need to avoid being cocky. As social interaction is a daily part of 99 percent of occupations, the question of how not to be cocky is a major issue - and not only for the expertbusinessadvice.com website.
First of all, you do not have to be the most attractive and handsome person: this is absolutely not a necessary precondition. What really matters is your charisma. And charisma does not mean that you are the most beautiful person in town … it is more about one’s confidence and corresponding behaviour. Confidence is simply essential in almost all interactive positions in business.
What is vital is the art of not destroying your charismatic momentum by acting in a cocky manner. Cocky people are not likeable; master sellers and business gurus are not cocky (or at least do not come across as such).
How not to be perceived as being cocky if one really is the best (or trying hard to be the best)?
The answer is consideration
You do not have to love everyone but you should maintain a certain level of consideration. Be supportive to your colleagues. When you do so, you can act confidently and not risk looking cocky because the negative effects of that are balanced by signs of consideration. To sum up: if you manage to sustain a certain level of consideration, your confident behaviour will do no harm to your reputation.
Those who say “Good morning” to their co-workers and ask whether they need some kind of assistance are seen as having control of the situation. They trigger an action by themselves. And there are two benefits stemming from such a demeanour: it shows both their confidence and consideration at the same time.
Another ability that demonstrates confidence is not losing one's temper in a crisis. The art of self-control, in other words the ability to stay calm, gives one the chance to calm other people as well. And there is no better proof of charisma than this.
-jk-