Leadership & Humility

Being confident, driven, and goal oriented are good attributes to leadership. Being arrogant, short-tempered, and ego-driven are toxic elements that undermine one’s leadership.  A key component of the best leaders is their humility.

When leaders spend their time in the cultivation and elevation of others on the team, there is less time to think about yourself, and your ego is checked at the door each morning.  Author C.S. Lewis, captures the essence of humility in his Screwtape Letters, writing: “By this virtue, as by all others, [God] wants to turn [our] attention away from self to Him and [to our] neighbors.” For Lewis, humility is not a matter of thinking less of ourselves — but less about ourselves - forgetting ourselves and turning outward in love.

When you think about your own leadership, in the role you are playing in the lives of your team, how are you doing on the humility front? 

How is humility present in your daily interactions that lessen you and elevate the best in others? 

What’s true is that having a humble leader investing in their team on a consistent basis underpins a healthy workplace culture benefiting everyone.  Humility is a leadership strength that proves when ego and self-interest are set aside, teamwork and collegial professionalism thrive in a workplace that values the interest, talent, and input of others. 

Are you that humble leader?  If so, how fortunate is your team to have humility exemplified daily in the workplace.