IT Leadership

Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of transitioning from individual contributor to leadership roles and experiencing different leadership styles. Along the way, I have learned that leading yourself first is paramount to effective leadership and organizational success. This concept is deeply intertwined with humility, a trait that despite its shortcomings in the business world, can be a powerful force for good. This article aims to discuss the importance of humility in leadership and provide insights and practical suggestions on how leaders can lead themselves and others with humility.

First, let us define what humility means in the context of this article. Humility is often misconceived as a sign of weakness or insecurity. Still, according to author and professor Kent Annan, it encompasses a truth about ourselves that we often miss: “Humility is the profound understanding of ourselves in our finitude: that we are limited, that we are fallen, that we are capable of error, and often in error, and in need of grace.”

While humility is an essential trait for any individual, it is especially vital for leaders. Many leadership theories and practices discuss the importance of the leader’s relationship with themselves, which encompasses traits such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-understanding. These elements are all influenced by humility, as it allows us to recognize our own limitations and be open to growth and change. Furthermore, humility enables us to embrace vulnerability, fostering authenticity and strengthening relationships with colleagues, teammates, and even adversaries.

Unfortunately, many leaders today are reluctant to embrace humility, often resulting in detrimental consequences. Humility may be a difficult trait to cultivate for various reasons. For instance, leaders may fear appearing weak or incompetent or worry about the negative response from subordinates or peers who may take advantage of their humility. Additionally, in highly competitive work environments, individuals may feel that humility will hinder their chances of professional advancement or personal growth.

However, without humility, leaders face several challenges that can jeopardize their effectiveness and result in negative consequences for themselves and their organizations. Some of these include:

Arrogance and narcissism

These two traits are the antithesis of humility and can be exceedingly destructive to both the individual and those around them. Overconfidence and an exaggerated sense of self-importance can lead to unrealistic expectations, poor decision-making, and alienation of colleagues.

Decreased openness to feedback

Humility is intimately linked to openness, which allows us to hear and process constructive criticism without defensiveness. Without humility, feedback can be perceived as a threat, reducing our ability to learn and grow.

Isolation and disconnection

Arrogance breeds resentment and can damage relationships with teammates, reducing trust and collaboration. Leaders who are humble, on the other hand, tend to attract and inspire people to them and their causes.

Lack of emotional intelligence

Humility is integral to emotional intelligence, which includes self-awareness and self-management. Without humility, emotional intelligence is diminished, making it challenging to recognize and manage emotions in oneself and others.

Resilience

While humility may not seem inherently related to resilience, it plays an integral role in managing adversity. By acknowledging our limitations and fallibility, we become better equipped to handle adversity, learn from mistakes, and navigate future challenges.

How to Lead with Humility

Humility is not a single trait but a combination of qualities that can be cultivated over time. Below are some practical suggestions for leading with humility.

1. Acknowledging limitations and fallibility

Humility requires us to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that we are capable of error and have limitations. This awareness helps us avoid arrogance and narcissism and builds a solid foundation for leading with humility.

2. Practicing self-awareness and self-understanding

These two elements are critical in leadership and depend on humility to thrive. Self-awareness helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses and appreciate our value to our teams and organizations. Self-understanding excavates our reasons for being the leader we are and our core values.

3. Engaging in continuous learning

After recognizing our limitations, we can work on improving any gaps in knowledge or skills. A humble leader is eager to learn and grow and is open to new ideas and different approaches.

4. Being authentic and vulnerable

Vulnerability is a key element in leadership, as it helps us build trust and foster relationships with others. Humility allows leaders to share their authentic selves, opening up to others and creating deeper, more meaningful connections.

5. Listening with intent and empathy

One of the most important traits of a leader is the ability to listen actively. Humility allows leaders to listen without preconceived notions or the need to defend themselves. This way, they can focus on understanding teammates’ perspectives and genuinely empathizing with them.

6. Seeking and embracing feedback

Humility enables leaders to hear and process feedback without defensiveness. Leaders can use this feedback to improve and make informed decisions.

7. Sharing credit and celebrating successes

A humble leader ensures that credit is shared where it is due, and accomplishments are celebrated. They understand the value of teamwork and collaboration and are not afraid to acknowledge the contributions of others.

8. Practicing gratitude and grace

A culture of gratitude and grace fosters positive energy and creates a supportive environment for teams to develop and thrive.

9. Embracing conflict and tough decisions

Leaders may need to make tough decisions that not everyone agrees on. Humility can help leaders approach these situations with openness and understanding, seeking the best solution while considering the diverse views of their team members.

10. Walking the talk

Great leaders speak softly and carry a big stick, as the saying goes. Leaders who talk the talk must also walk the talk, especially in humility. Being a role model for humility encourages teammates to exhibit the same traits, creating a cohesive and collaborative team.

Conclusion

Leading with humility is a powerful way to inspire and guide individuals and teams toward shared goals and achievements. While humility may not always be easy to cultivate, it is an essential asset for any leader who seeks to make a positive impact. By acknowledging our limitations, being authentic, and striving for continuous learning, we can create environments where individuals can thrive and succeed together.

I hope you found this article insightful and that the content has sparked new ideas.