Humility and Leadership Are an Effective Combination

Shutterstock

Developing leadership skills can improve your performance and advance your career. You can lead in any role and industry with the right approach.

But what does it take to become an effective leader? Most people know that communication skills, effective listening, and empathy are hallmarks of a good leader. But another powerful element is humility. But when people think of good leaders, they believe in charisma, authority, and confidence. How can a humble leader be effective?

Humble Leaders Go Beyond Ego

Most people think about Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Jeff Bezos when they consider strong leaders. They are strong, visionary, and sometimes arrogant. But there is a trait beyond these that makes a strong, effective leader.

C.S. Lewis summed up humility in leadership the best when he said, “In leadership, humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

A humble leader sees beyond ego and taps into the collective wisdom of their team. With the team, decisions are made that are in the organization’s best interest.

Humility elicits the most lip service and the least decisive action. It constantly demands an honest assessment of a person’s actual merit.

But humility that’s not genuine could be perceived as insecurity or even arrogance.

Humble Leaders Know Actions Affect Others

Humble leaders don’t consider themselves the smartest in the room. They know they don’t need to be. They encourage people to speak up. Humble leaders respect different opinions. They champion the best ideas regardless of who they come from.

This attitude permeates the organization’s culture as other managers emulate the leader’s approach. In other words, humble leaders know how to draw the best out of people.

Humble leaders take responsibility for mistakes but applaud others when things go well. This creates a positive workplace.

The Journal of Management surveyed 105 computer software and hardware firms. It revealed that humility in CEOs leads to higher-performing leadership teams. Collaboration and cooperation were increased in the organizations. There was more flexibility in developing strategies.

Humility Linked With Positive Qualities

Humility is often linked with subservience, weakness or introversion. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Psychological shows the opposite is true. Humility is associated with:

• sincerity
• modesty
• fairness
• truthfulness
• unpretentiousness
• authenticity

Humility is compatible with strength and courage. Humility is about execution, not about style. But leaders must inspire trust and cooperation. They must instill commitment among the workforce.

Signs of Humility in Leader

One sign of a humble leader is the ability to admit mistakes. They don’t pass the blame. As President Harry S. Truman said, “The buck stops here” with these humble leaders.

Accepting constructive feedback is also the hallmark of a humble leader. A leader with humility will acknowledge the validity of the feedback. They will demonstrate a thoughtful response.

Striving to overcome weakness is another trait of a humble leader. Recognizing skill gaps and improving on them shows a desire to improve as a leader.

Humility in Leaders Leads to Successful Team

A humble leader wants their team to succeed. They don’t fear an employee rising above them. Giving team members the tools and training to advance their careers demonstrates a desire to help the individual elevate and further organizational goals.

Humble leaders don’t self-promote. They understand the importance of promoting team members’ victories and accomplishments.

They know that if the employees are successful, the company is successful.

Why Humility Is Important

Arrogance and entitlement are dangerous traits in a leader. They can disrupt the company culture and lead to bad employee morale. These traits prevent the leader from seeking advice.

Humble leaders don’t exhibit these qualities. They avoid the elements of entitlement and arrogance.

Those who are humble are approachable. They generate honest communication and help employees with their tasks and visions. Humble leaders are less self-involved and more attuned with others.

Humbler leaders have a more profound and evolved outlook. They can see the bigger picture. In an organization, they see the large goals and share them with their team members.

Ways to Be a Humble Leader

Pride is not a negative attribute, but being prideful can hurt your leadership skills. Thinking of yourself better than others is prideful.

Prideful people don’t necessarily have high self-esteem. Do some soul-searching and determine why you are self-centered in your management style.

Acknowledge others’ achievements. This will help you focus off of yourself.

Being humble doesn’t mean you’re a pushover. Don’t confuse humility with compliance. Just because you hold people in high regard doesn’t mean you allow them to walk over you.

Stand up for yourself if you need to, but remember not to make someone feel worthless in the process.

Humility Is Underrated

Humility is essential to being a strong leader. Don’t underestimate the strength of taking responsibility for mistakes or giving a team member credit for a successful project.

Humility helps develop a more profound outlook of the world. With humility, you’re aware of what you bring to the table and what others offer to the organization.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2023. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.