I have to admit, I fall into this trap sometimes too.

On the other hand, I have yet to adopt that kind of persona permanently.

But I keep seeing it over and over again elsewhere.

It's so ubiquitous, it has almost become a charicature of itself.

To be 'successful' MUST one adopt this (now tiresome) 'gruff wise guy' persona?

It's like a combo of 'macho' and supreme over confidence -- I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. Often expemplified by things like...

Step One: Apply verbal baseball bat to knee caps of person being spoken to...

Surely there are other ways to get taken seriously (as an 'authority') -- no?

-- TW