Finding Strength in Humility

Finding Strength in Humility

One thing they don’t teach in business school is humility.

That was a line I would sometimes drop in my presentations, and it never failed to get a laugh. Everyone it seemed—regardless of whether they had attended b-school or not—knew the kind of self-importance and, yes, arrogance that newly minted graduates might display. Their MBA swagger lasted until they hit their first roadblock at work, and it threw them for a loop. That setback may have been an early lesson in humility.

Today, in our world struggling in the wake of Covid-19, humility is more accepted. We have all been humbled. The world we knew in January 2020 is no more, and the world we are creating is not yet born. There is no certainty in the wake of the virus, economic uncertainty, racial injustice, climate change, and contentious politics.?

Acceptance of reality

Those who accept that reality are demonstrating a sense of humility. That, however, does not mean they are rolling over. Indeed humble people are highly self-aware individuals. They know their strengths and their shortcomings.?Author and Catholic monk Thomas Merton wrote, "Pride makes us artificial, and humility makes us real.”?

Yes, humility is a gift of strength. It is an acceptance of one’s humanity—frailty and fragility, but also hope and grace. We know we make mistakes, but we have the grace to forgive ourselves so that we can move forward, not simply for ourselves but those who follow our lead.

Making a difference

“To lead the people,” said?Lao Tzu,?“walk behind them.”?Humility inspires people to follow, and when they see you behind them, in support of them, they are more inspired.

A humble leader is content to put others first for two reasons. One, she knows that the real work is done by people who follow a leader’s directives. Two, she is content within herself to recognize her strengths. She echoes the words of Martin Luther,?“True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.”?

A friend of mine experienced the benefits of humility firsthand while undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth near the side of his nose adjacent to his eye. The removal went fine. But at the time of suturing, the dermatologist asked my friend if he minded her seeking a second opinion on the closing of the wound.?

My friend thanked her and told me later that four of her colleagues came to view the room. What gratified my friend was the humility his surgeon displayed when asking for the counsel of colleagues. She did not fear that my friend or her colleagues would think less of her. She was only interested in the welfare of her patient.

Humility is a virtue, but there is nothing soft or squishy about it. Humility is forged in adversity and gives us the backbone to continue our journey.

Humility is a virtue, no doubt.

But gaining humility requires more than virtue.

Hard work. Sacrifice. Selflessness.

Humility demands a sublimation of ego, but not of will.

Willpower gives us the strength to step back,

So that others may go forward.

Humility enables us to see the light in others,

Rather than our reflection.

Adapted from Forbes.com 8.27.2021

+++

Read the book that is an affirmation of leadership in the face of calamity,?Grace Notes: Leading in an Upside-Down World.

Looking for leadership and management fundamentals? Visit the?John Baldoni Library. Share with colleagues and clients.

Catch my LinkedIn Live show,?GRACE under pressure, Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 p.m. ET. Streaming on YouTube, Periscope and LinkedIn. Here's my interview with Sanyin Siang.

No alt text provided for this image




Israel israel

Executive Editor at Deutsche Veritas Presse

3 年

Very sensitive and very sensible..this is a lesson well written for not only the corporate but for one and all..kudos..

John Baldoni

Helping others learn to lead with greater purpose and grace via my speaking, coaching, and the brand-new Baldoni ChatBot. (And now a 4x LinkedIn Top Voice)

3 年

Such a good point Todd Cherches Humility opens the door to learning

Todd Cherches

CEO, Leadership & Executive Coach at BigBlueGumball. TEDx speaker. Author of “VisuaLeadership.” MG 100 Coaches.

3 年

Excellent piece, John Baldoni. The best leaders are humble enough to know — and to acknowledge — that they don’t know everything or have all the answers, and say to their people, “Let’s figure it out…together.” ??

Dorothy Dalton

Talent Management Strategist (CIPD) | Founder 3Plus | Inclusive Recruitment | HR Project Management | Anti-Bullying, DEI Champion | Career & Trauma Informed Coach | Trainer | Psychosocial Safety ISO 45003 |

3 年

John Baldoni I love this idea we really need to see more of it rather than this widespread individualism we are seeing at the moment.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

John Baldoni的更多文章

  • Creating the Retirement That Works Best for You

    Creating the Retirement That Works Best for You

    When it comes to this topic, many of us say, "Yeah, whenever," and plunge back into whatever we are doing. The topic is…

    3 条评论
  • How Poetry Can Frame the War Experience

    How Poetry Can Frame the War Experience

    Catch this clip of author-poet Bill Glose discusses how poetry can help frame experience in ways that prose cannot…

    1 条评论
  • Hit 'em Straight!

    Hit 'em Straight!

    My newest collection of poetry, Golf Lessons: Chips, Chunks and Cheers debuted this past week. In lieu a Sunday column…

    3 条评论
  • How Do You Define Success?

    How Do You Define Success?

    Catch this clip of Davin Salvagno explaining how to re-discover your purpose. Here's my full interview with Davin…

    2 条评论
  • How Kindness Can Transform Horror into Poetry

    How Kindness Can Transform Horror into Poetry

    Chief among the insights we gain from reading history is that what we read is often relevant to what we are…

  • Today Is Poetry Day!

    Today Is Poetry Day!

    “John Baldoni is not afraid to the illuminate the flaws of his own game for insights and laughs. After all golf is a…

    5 条评论
  • Five Ways to Empower Yourself

    Five Ways to Empower Yourself

    The other day, I was asked how I empower myself. It was a question I had not been asked before, but after a moment's…

  • The Mind Trap

    The Mind Trap

    Catch this clip of Hortense le Gentil talking about how we can become stuck within our own mind traps. Here is my full…

    1 条评论
  • Go Looking for Bad News

    Go Looking for Bad News

    One of the hardest things for senior leaders to solicit is bad news from the ranks. Mike Ullman, one-time CEO of…

    1 条评论
  • If The Pope Can Look for Laughs So Can We

    If The Pope Can Look for Laughs So Can We

    Of all the things you think the Pope should be doing – supervising the running of a global organization, greeting…

社区洞察