I have literally had to deal with mass sabotage and attacks at work, because they put me in a position I previously criticized and I failed to fail. Similarly, I criticized OOP and their practices and got attacked at work for "intentionally delaying the process" and "not understanding programming" while I was right then, but also, I worked out some theory in significant detail that simplifies and explains a lot. The fact that I could make sense of it and come up with a way of working that supports my previous claims is pretty solid 'following up on my word'.

My ego isn't the problem. I've been fairly realistic with my ideas/targets and have achieved them. My problem is the massive, unwarranted attacks based on lies and abuse exactly *because* I succeeded too often.