We often think of the best leaders as those who are the most noticeable…the lead dogs, the ones in the limelight, the most vocal and obvious.
Surprisingly, after extensive research, Jim Collins, in his epic book Good to Great, noted that the type of leadership required for turning a good company into a great one seems to be more self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy. These leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. They are more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar. Collins categorized good leaders as level 4 and great leaders as level 5 and found that one of the biggest differentiators had to do with humility.
hard work, and perseverance would be the most important attributes. However, if the ultimate goal is to get a team across the finish line, then it is easy to understand why humility is such an important attribute for a leader. Through this lens it is easy to understand why Mother Teresa was such a great leader.
Defined simply, humility is the quality or ability to have a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance or rank, etc. In other words, humility is the ability to check one’s ego at the team door and recognize that success is best achieved by a team and when people are not concerned with who gets the credit. Because as soon as people try to get more credit for themselves the magic sauce of teamwork evaporates and the overall potential declines. Many great nations fell when hubris increased.
It is important to understand that humility, like meekness, is not weakness. Rather it requires tremendous confidence and strength of character, because it requires vulnerability–the willingness to let go of who we aren’t and celebrate who we truly are–with both strengths and weaknesses. Brene Brown suggests it takes a strong person “to not shrink back nor puff up.”
If you want to be a more effective leader the place to start is with self refection in order to gain a proper perspective of oneself. If you have not watched it yet, I recommend a good step in the process is to watch Brene Brown’s Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o
Herb Mast is Leadership Coach and Employee Engagement Specialist. Learn how he can assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here.