Debaters are unique people.
They have the smarts to understand complex government policy, the verbal skills to make it understandable, and the enthusiasm to stay up half the night... okay, all night... researching it. Instead of struggling to speak in public like most of their generation, they excel at communicating to large audiences. They are often praised by adults who claim they have restored hope in the future. I can't count how many times I've heard a judge come out of a round remarking how encouraging it is to see high school students (or younger) improving their minds.
This can often lead to one other shared characteristic: cockiness.
Trust me, I'm an expert on the subject because I was one. As a competitive debater, I loved the intellectual challenge of beating someone in a battle of the minds. Debate is an intellectual sport which is why so many bright young people are drawn to it.
Now I know that is a stereotype and there are many humble debaters. I'm simply using it to make a finer point. And if you find that offensive, maybe it is time to take a long look in the mirror.
It's worth a look because the truth is being cocky is awful. It isn't simply an annoying personality quirk that is okay to indulge now and again. And just like any true debater, I have a few reasons to support my case.
1. Immoral
At its core, cockiness can be stripped down to pride. Pride is a nasty characteristic that will lead to all sorts of problems in every part of your life. Cultivating it in the debate arena will cause it to begin rearing its ugly head in other areas of your life sooner rather than later.
2. Destroys interdependency
Nobody likes to be around someone who is arrogant. I didn't even like being around myself when I was overconfident. In order to succeed at debate (and just about any part of life) you have to be teachable.
T-E-A-C-H-A-B-L-E. adjective. apt and willing to be taught.
You have to be willing and hungry to learn from anybody. That includes coaches, partners, teammates, competitors, judges, etc. If you are always self-assured, you are unlikely to be open to criticism and you are certainly not actively looking to learn from others. This trait can single-handedly destroy your ability to improve as a debater. Not to mention it also cuts you out of a lot of potential debate connections.
3. Undue pressure
Cockiness places an incredible burden on you. Perfection must be achieved or you have failed your own expectations. Although few would claim to be perfect, I think many debaters subconsciously expect if from themselves. This leads to stress and frustration. In this frame of mind, small mistakes often build on each other as the disgust of making one error leads the individual to make more while stewing over their original misstep. No one can think clearly in such an anxious state.
Cases of cockiness can range from mild to extreme. They can pop up often or just be a rare occurrence. Despite the variety, I have seen it rise overall to a conspicuous level in debate circles. This is probably due to the high level of skill and sacrifice required to do well in debate. We also give a lot of attention to those who do well in it (flashy medals, on-stage recognition, etc.) I don't think recognition necessarily breeds cocky people, but if unwatched it can sow seeds of it in even those with decent self-control.
I'm not pointing it out because I don't like jerks. I mean I don't, but the truth is a lot of good people are susceptible to this disease. Take it as a cautious warning. Arrogance is a trap that the intellectually strong are extremely vulnerable too. The disadvantages far outweigh the temporary pleasure.
So how do you deal with it?
Get your heart in the right place. Examine your motivations. Are you working hard to learn how to communicate and have fun? Or are you doing it so you can be recognized as the best at the awards ceremony? Enjoy competition because it makes you better, not for the chance of beating someone else. Always be looking to learn. Even as an alumni, I am constantly watching debates to see if I can pick up new techniques or knowledge from the high schoolers I'm judging. Being teachable is the biggest secret to continual improvement.
Truly excellent debaters are skilled, competitive, and confident. That is a given. But they also hold all others in high respect. They keep their own limited knowledge in perspective and are always searching for someone to learn from. And that is why excellence makes an IMPACT!