Lessons In Humility
Sooner or later every leader gets humbled
It might be getting fired.
It might be getting demoted.
It might be getting reassigned as a leader.
It might be losing a key team mate or your star employee quitting.
It might be a key customer leaving.
It might be as simple as feedback you’ve always needed from your team.
Often humility comes in many forms. And it often comes quickly too.
As a leader you’re likely to get humbled often.
What does humility mean?
Humility is the quality of being humble, characterized by a lack of pride or arrogance and an awareness of one’s own limitations. It involves recognizing that you’re not above others, accepting your imperfections, and being open to learning from mistakes or feedback. Humility doesn’t mean self-deprecation; rather, it’s a grounded confidence that values others’ perspectives and contributions without needing to assert superiority. It’s often marked by modesty, respect, and a willingness to put ego aside for the sake of growth or connection.
The greatest lesson humility teaches is your own humanity.
Mistakes will happen. You might overlook the moment when your star employee grows frustrated and walks away. You could miss the subtle signals your best customer sends about their dissatisfaction with your product or service. Each misstep is a chance to grow and improve. The next time you notice that standout team member quietly struggling, you’ll know how to step in, connect, and keep their talent on board.
Take stock of where you are as a leader.
Are you staying humble or riding the wave of vanity, ego, and office politics?
Being humbled often comes when you least expect it.
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