I have a job where mistakes can have dear consequences, though luckily never life-threatening, and I remember myself stating (with obvious self-importance) that every sysadmin should really take a pilot's training, always have a plan B, never take anything for granted &c &c
And as for
often perceived as egotistical, arrogant even
I am sure I am often considered arrogant by certain members of my own team and much more from the teams we mostly work with, but not egotistical, the word being little known and even less used in this rural area.