Yep....we know the stories well. Personally, I fell into this trap early in my career. Let me tell you: there is nothing more humbling than to think you have your shit together until your work is placed side by side with someone who KNOWS their shit. That will deflate your 'ego' in a hot second.
There is NOTHING wrong with having initiative, or confidence. But, there is a fine line between being self-assured and just plain egomaniacal.
Also, no one wants to work with an ass. Believe me: I've been there, and it is NOT fun. You will quickly lose the enjoyment of the process because instead of taking advantage of what should be a great collaboration, you are dealing with a fucked up attitude. Worse? Someone is dealing with YOURS. I cannot STAND to see some 'pros' act as if God himself literally blessed them and them only with the ability that they have. Not true. Everyone is different and talented in their own way. As a PROFESSIONAL, you should cultivate this mentality for the younger generation to follow. It's not always easy to do, but to be honest: there are so many of us in the business who have a false sense of entitlement, that I personally do not want to be lumped into that category. Not saying that you have to be a doormat. No. Don't allow someone to take advantage of you....but, realize that there is more to being a PROFESSIONAL than simply a title.
Now, we all have our bad days. There have been times when I did NOT want to ink a page, especially if it had (IMO) a lot of details in it that I absolutely did NOT feel were important to the story. Yet, this is why I am an INKER, and not a WRITER. The point is: stay in your lane. Learn your own craft, FIRST. So many professionals jump into other areas of comics without first learning what they truly need to, and the results are disastrous. We've seen it a million times.
Try to realize that everyone in the creative process has his or her own challenges and problems. Therefore, no one is MORE important than the next person. Granted, the higher on the food chain you go, this is subject to change, but in general, this is the mindset that you want to develop.
Why?
Because it teaches you how to be humble, and therefore, grow FURTHER in your skill set and in your career. And, this will ensure longevity.....well past those who may be hot shit today. Think MARATHON, not SPRINT. Pace yourself, treat others as you would be treated, and in the end, you can look back and know that you've earned your position without being an ass to people.
That is what MATTERS. Not your ego. No matter HOW success you are, or become, nothing gives you the right, authority or merit to mistreat anyone, especially those who seek to learn from YOU.