You know that feeling when someone is so incredibly sure of themselves that you just know it’s going to end badly? That’s not just confidence. It isn’t even regular old arrogance. It’s hubris.
People throw the word around constantly in business meetings and political commentaries, but honestly, most of us use it as a fancy synonym for "cocky." It’s deeper than that. Hubris is a specific brand of overweening pride that usually involves a total disconnect from reality and a blatant disregard for the natural order of things.
In ancient Greece, where the term originated, it wasn't just a personality flaw. It was a crime. If you had enough hubris to think you were on the same level as the gods, you weren't just being annoying—you were inviting a literal lightning bolt to the face. While we don't worry much about Zeus anymore, the "lightning bolts" of the modern world—bankruptcy, public disgrace, and total systemic collapse—are still very much hitting people who suffer from this condition.
What Does Hubris Actually Mean?
If we're being technical, the definition of hubris is exaggerated pride or self-confidence. But that's the dictionary version. The real-world version is much messier.
It’s the belief that the rules don't apply to you. It’s the CEO who thinks they can ignore market trends because they’re a "visionary." It’s the athlete who stops training because they believe their natural talent makes them invincible. It’s a sort of blindness. When you’re in the grip of hubris, you lose the ability to see your own limitations.
Aristotle, who had a lot to say about pretty much everything, described hubris as doing or saying things to shame the victim, not because of anything the victim did, but simply for the perpetrator's own gratification. It was about dominance. To the Greeks, it was the ultimate sin because it upset the Moira—the fixed lot or fate of a human being.
Think about the classic story of Icarus. His father, Daedalus, gave him wings made of wax and feathers. He told him: don't fly too low (the dampness will weigh you down) and don't fly too high (the sun will melt the wax). Icarus got a taste of flight and thought he was basically a bird-god. He flew higher. He ignored the physical reality of the wax. He fell. That isn't just a mistake. That’s hubris in its purest form.
🔗 Read more: How to Open a Bottle With a Lighter Like a Professional Bartender
The Hubris-Nemesis Cycle
There is a rhythm to this. In Greek tragedy, hubris is almost always followed by two other things: Ate and Nemesis.
- Ate is the temporary madness or delusion that comes when you’re too full of yourself. You start making terrible decisions because you think you're untouchable.
- Nemesis is the force of retribution. It’s the universe—or the market, or the law—rebalancing itself.
It’s a pattern we see on repeat. A company dominates a niche. They get smug. They stop listening to customers (Hubris). They buy up a dozen unrelated businesses they don't understand (Ate). They go bankrupt when a leaner competitor eats their lunch (Nemesis).
Why We Confuse Hubris With Confidence
There is a very thin line here. We’re told to "fake it 'til you make it" and "believe in yourself." So, when does that turn toxic?
Confidence is based on a track record. It’s knowing you can do a job because you’ve put in the work and you understand the risks. Hubris is different. It’s based on a fantasy.
A confident person says, "I've prepared for this, and I think I can handle the challenges."
A person with hubris says, "Challenges? Those don't apply to me. I'm special."
It’s the "I'm special" part that gets people in trouble. In psychological terms, this often overlaps with narcissism, but it’s more situational. Even someone who is generally humble can be struck by hubris after a massive win. Success is a dangerous drug. It makes you feel like you have the "Midas touch," where everything you do will automatically succeed.
Real-World Hubris: From Tech Giants to Polar Expeditions
Let's look at some actual history. No made-up stuff.
Take the 1996 Everest Disaster, famously chronicled by Jon Krakauer in Into Thin Air. While there were many factors—weather, oxygen failures—many analysts point to the hubris of the guides and the "summit fever" of the clients. These were experts who had climbed the mountain many times. Some became so confident in their ability to "boss" the mountain that they ignored their own safety protocols and turn-back times. Nature, as it usually does, provided the Nemesis.
Then you have the corporate world.
👉 See also: Twist for Natural Hair: Why Your Routine Probably Needs a Reset
Enron is the poster child for executive hubris. Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling didn't just want to run a successful energy company; they wanted to revolutionize the very concept of money and trade. They believed they were the "smartest guys in the room." They were so convinced of their own brilliance that they thought they could hide billions in debt through accounting tricks and nobody would ever find out. It wasn't just greed. It was the belief that they were smarter than the entire regulatory system of the United States.
And we can't talk about hubris without mentioning the Titanic. While the phrase "God himself could not sink this ship" is often debated as a specific quote, the sentiment was absolutely real. The ship had fewer lifeboats than necessary because the designers and owners believed the ship was the lifeboat. It was a mechanical hubris—the belief that human engineering had finally conquered the ocean.
The Science of Why We Get Cocky
Why does our brain do this to us?
Research into the "Hubris Syndrome" by David Owen and Jonathan Davidson suggests that it’s actually a predictable disorder that often develops in people who hold high-ranking positions for long periods. They identified specific symptoms:
- A tendency to see the world as an arena for exercising power.
- An obsession with personal image and "looking good."
- A messianic way of talking about what they are doing.
- Excessive confidence in their own judgment and contempt for the advice of others.
When you're at the top, people stop telling you "no." Your "Ate" (delusion) is fueled by a circle of "yes-men." Neurobiologically, power actually changes how the brain processes information. Studies show that people in high-power positions often lose a degree of empathy—they literally stop being able to "read" the room or mirror the emotions of others. This lack of feedback makes hubris almost inevitable unless the person is hyper-vigilant about staying grounded.
Is Hubris Always a Bad Thing?
This is where it gets nuanced. Honestly, some of the greatest achievements in human history required a tiny bit of hubris.
Think about the Wright brothers or the team that put humans on the moon. To most people at the time, those goals seemed impossible, even arrogant. You have to have a certain level of "delusional" belief in your vision to try things that have never been done.
The difference is rigor.
The Wright brothers didn't just "believe" they could fly and jump off a cliff. They spent years testing gliders, building wind tunnels, and studying the physics of lift. They respected the gravity that was trying to kill them. Hubris fails because it ignores the gravity. Genuine ambition succeeds because it respects the obstacle while trying to overcome it.
How to Spot Hubris in Yourself (Before it's Too Late)
It's easy to point fingers at failed CEOs or Greek heroes. It’s harder to see it in the mirror.
You might be drifting into hubris territory if you find yourself thinking things like:
- "I don't need to check the data; I just have a feeling."
- "They just don't understand my vision."
- "The rules for this project are for people with less experience."
The antidote to hubris is intellectual humility. This isn't about being a doormat. It’s about being aware that you have blind spots. It’s the practice of actively seeking out people who disagree with you and actually listening to them.
💡 You might also like: Recipe for Scallops and Shrimp: Why Most Home Cooks Mess Up Seared Seafood
Practical Steps to Guard Against Hubris
If you’re in a position of leadership—or just someone who’s had a string of wins—here’s how to stay grounded:
- Appoint a "Devil's Advocate." In the Roman Empire, when a general had a "Triumph" (a massive parade celebrating a victory), a slave would stand behind him in his chariot whispering, "Memento mori"—remember you are mortal. You need someone in your life who is allowed to tell you that you're being an idiot.
- Audit Your Wins. When you succeed, ask yourself: "How much of this was my skill, and how much was just dumb luck or good timing?" If you attribute 100% to your own genius, you're in trouble.
- Stay Close to the "Front Lines." Whether you're a manager, a writer, or a coach, don't get so high up that you forget what the actual work feels like.
- Practice Gratitude. It sounds cheesy, but it’s hard to be hubristic when you’re genuinely aware of all the people and circumstances that helped you get where you are.
The Takeaway
Hubris isn't just an "old word." It's a fundamental part of the human experience. It is the shadow side of our greatest strength: our ability to dream big and push boundaries.
The goal isn't to stop being ambitious. The goal is to keep your eyes open. Recognize that no matter how smart, rich, or successful you become, you are still subject to the same laws of physics, economics, and human nature as everyone else.
Don't ignore the wax on your wings.
Next Steps for Applying This Knowledge:
- Audit your current projects: Identify one area where you’ve stopped seeking outside advice or feel "untouchable." Re-open that area to feedback this week.
- Study a "Failure Case": Read a detailed account of a corporate or historical collapse (like the 2008 financial crisis or the story of Theranos) specifically through the lens of leader hubris to recognize the early warning signs.
- Seek a "Truth-Teller": Identify one person in your professional or personal life who isn't afraid to challenge you. Ask them for a blunt assessment of your current strategy or attitude.
The most dangerous moment is right after a victory. Stay humble, keep your eyes on the data, and remember that Nemesis is always waiting for those who forget they're human.