Humble. It is a word that has a gentleness to it and, so, tends to be mistaken for weakness. In reality, humility is the elevation of the self to a state that puts others ahead of their own desires.
Rick Warren’s words encapsulate it best: True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. This mentality imbues leaders with the capacity to focus on the individuals around them without losing sight of the big picture.
The First Step
The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that the problem exists. Even the people that others see as the most obnoxious rarely identify that trait in themselves. Their social aggression and lack of humility stem from a failure to see the impact their behaviour has on others.
For a leader to be able to address a lack of humility, they first have to develop the self-awareness required to take that step. Fortunately, most people tend to be forgiving when someone acknowledges a shortcoming and expresses contrition. That infusion of good intentions can salvage relationships.
Accepting Realities
Many leaders squander their potential because they confuse “I am in charge” with “I am right;” those two statements can be mutually exclusive. A humble leader knows that each individual on the team is there for a reason, often because they personally hired them. The company flourishes when each of those individuals is allowed to thrive.
It is not simply a matter of being humble— humility defers to talent and knowledge, creating a company culture where every person is given the room to achieve their full potential. It creates strong, confident, and creative team members and its ripples strengthen the organization.
Embracing Insecurities
One of the seemingly insurmountable hurdles to humility is the fear of surrendering power. In the relentless dog-eat-dog corporate world, too many executives invest time and energy zealously guarding their silos of power. Instead of evolving into mentors, they sabotage rising talent.
When humility enters the equation, so does influence. A humble leader is not a powerless leader; they are a force within a tightly woven web of influence. Senior leaders value them for the ability to show junior executives the way. Those junior executives develop a fierce loyalty for humble leaders and go out of their way to defend them publicly and put in the extra mile when needed.
Humility is not an easy attribute to cultivate but it is an objective almost without equal. There is an aura of charisma and quiet confidence about humble leaders. It inspires loyalty, creates opportunity, and rewards competency. Those are the underpinnings of true leaders.
Questions? Contact me today to schedule an introductory meeting to discuss how we can work together to achieve business success for you and your organization.
