The Conundrum of Leading With Humility
Have you ever walked into a restaurant and seen a couple that causes you to do a double take? You ask yourself, “How did he ever get the chance to marry her?” You aren't being mean; it just doesn't make sense. It goes against everything you learned and experienced in school. Yet, there they are, in a healthy relationship.
That is how many view humility and leadership. The thought of humility blended with corporate success doesn't make any sense. How can you succeed if you put others first? How can you win if you look out for the interests of others? How can you dominate the market if you care about something other than the bottom line?
The answer rests in understanding humility. As C.S. Lewis writes, “Humility isn't about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
A common view is that the opposite of humility is pride. Many argue that pride is a symptom of insecurity. When we lead through insecurity, we are actually puffing ourselves up and losing our humility. Our leadership becomes filled with trying to obtain or maintain power and control. Obviously we want to be authentic leaders, but we can’t be authentic without humility. And part of that means being secure in ourselves – so much so that we give more to others.
When you lead with humility, some might look at you and wonder how you will continue to be influential with great results. Some might look at you and wonder why you don’t tear people down in public, they might wonder why you don’t speak first in the meeting, they might look at you and wonder why you have so many coffee meetings. But you just have selfless ambition and value others. Nothing gets in the way of your results, but you don’t devalue people in your pursuit of the result.
Here is what this looks like in the office:
When you see someone struggling, help them instead of watching them drown.
If your idea is not the best idea, use your influence to promote the best idea.
If your idea is the best idea, work to see things from the team’s perspective as well.
Give credit to others instead of yourself.
Value everyone, not just the people who can promote you.
What have you done to be an authentic leader? Share your thoughts!
