In the high-stakes world of leadership, the concepts of humility and leadership often seem at odds. Yet, extensive research and timeless wisdom illustrate that humility is a hallmark of truly effective leaders. Even some of history’s most influential figures exemplified humility as a cornerstone of leadership.
Humility is a quality that is often misunderstood. Many perceive it as a weakness, especially in environments that demand significant results. When humility is discussed, it is sometimes misconstrued as a veiled form of pride. Benjamin Franklin astutely captured this complexity:
“There is perhaps not one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Bet it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive. Even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.”
Humility is a trait we appreciate in others but struggle to cultivate within ourselves. We admire it because we naturally detest arrogance. C.J. Mahaney defines humility as, “honestly assessing ourselves in light of a greater standard of holiness and our own imperfections.” This perspective underscores how small we are in the grand scheme, emphasising our need for humility.
Another thought leader contrasts human beings with the divine: “Apart from a higher power, I cannot exist. Apart from me, a higher power does exist.” This distinction highlights our dependence on humility to recognize our place in the universe.
A timeless parable tells of a guest at a banquet being asked to move to a lower seat because they had presumed too high a position for themselves. The lesson is clear: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This teaching is a profound reminder for leaders to prioritise humility over self-promotion.
The Role of Humility in Personal Growth
All personal growth requires humility. Without humility, pride takes the wheel and aims for the ditch. History is littered with the pages of brilliant and talented men and women who were ultimately destroyed by their pride.
Humility reveals our humanity. Let that idea really take hold in your mind. Humility reveals your humanity by keeping your failures and your successes in proper perspective to each other. Humility makes you teachable, a constant reminder of how much you need lifelong learning.
Abraham Lincoln, an avid reader and voracious learner, understood the importance of humility. When some editors were preparing a directory of congressmen, they asked Lincoln to submit his biography. He humbly wrote, “Education defective.” He was keenly aware that even though he had closed many of his personal growth gaps, humility was still the key to all future learning.
When we lack humility, our pride builds our knowledge into monuments of our own greatness. Although we can’t see it at the time, those monuments are actually barriers and roadblocks to our future learning. Humility, on the other hand, is like the gatekeeper to growth—and its gates are always open. If we begin to value what we’ve already learned over what we have yet to learn, those gates slam shut, sealed tight with the padlock of pride. Your current knowledge cannot be the permanent watermark for your future. Past learning does not guarantee future growth.
Dethroning Self-Promotion
Humility begins with dethroning our addiction to self-promotion. Without humility, we falsely position ourselves at the center of the universe. Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, in their book A Leader’s Legacy, draw a powerful connection between humility and humanity. They remind us that the words “human” and “humble” both derive from the Latin word humus, meaning earth. Leaders must remain grounded, regardless of their ascent in organisational hierarchies.
Wilbur Wright, despite his monumental achievements, maintained humility. Even at the peak of his fame, he worked alongside others, dressed in overalls, and never abused his influence. This down-to-earth attitude was as compelling as his technical accomplishments.
So why do we resist humility? Perhaps it is the fear of being overlooked, the anxiety that our accomplishments will go unrecognised. Yet, the difference between pride and humility is clear:
Pride is man’s path to pursue favour. Humility is a higher power’s path to give it to you.
Humility invites favour and aligns us with our purpose.
In a parable, a host is advised to invite those who cannot repay them. This action emphasises selfless serving, an essential component of humility. Jim Collins, in his research for Good to Great, identifies Level 5 leaders as those who combine professional will with personal humility. These leaders work for the success of their organisation, not their egos, embodying the principle of looking out the window to give credit and in the mirror to accept blame.
Embracing Selfless Serving
As leaders, we must assess our responses to success and failure. Do we attribute credit to our teams or bask in personal glory? When facing challenges, do we take responsibility or shift blame? The parable underscores the necessity of humility in leadership.
Humility is dethroning the attitude of self-promotion and embracing the action of selfless serving.
Cultivating humility is a continuous, deliberate effort. Here are ten warning signs that may indicate a struggle with pride:
- Conversations are often centered around your accomplishments.
- Difficulty in learning from others.
- Entitlement to perks, privileges, power, or positions.
- Taking credit rather than sharing it.
- Comparing yourself to others.
- Highlighting your success when others succeed.
- Focused on being served rather than serving.
- Reluctance to delegate tasks.
- Reckless attitude toward personal shortcomings.
- Dependence on self over trust in a higher power.
Reflect on your leadership journey: What steps can you take to pursue humility? How would embracing humility transform your leadership and team dynamics? The path to humility is challenging but profoundly rewarding, fostering a leadership style that inspires and endures.
As an executive leadership coach, I encourage you to actively incorporate humility into your leadership practices. It’s not just about achieving results; it’s about building a legacy of integrity, trust, and respect. Humility is the key to unlocking your full potential as a leader and driving sustainable success for your organisation.