This is how humility is sabotaging your career

I have been contemplating a lot lately on the role of humility in our careers.

Where do we draw the line between modesty and foolish ignorance of owning our greatness?

How does being humble or modest hold us back from our true potential?

Does staying numb to our achievements really serve us?

So I went on a mini witch hunt this morning. With the guidance of a few quotes, let’s explore together what I found.  Taking each literally, as we have with this word humility.

I am a lover of poetry and all words beautiful. This is why I am naturally drawn to Charles Bukowski’s work. Once he said,

“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”

Could humility and modesty play a role in fuelling our doubts? I wonder sometimes.

“A great man is always willing to be little.”Ralph Waldo Emerson

I deeply respect Ralph Emerson. He was an intelligent man who left us with so much invaluable wisdom.

Now if I was to take the above quote literally, which I have seen many professionals do, allow themselves to feel, to be, to act little.

To play small.

Isn’t this hiding your greatness in some way?

Who made us believe that stepping into our greatness is somewhat a crime?

Can I really live with myself, if every moment I know I am 100% correct, I play little instead?

Perhaps he meant something else? Something like what Socrates advocates, to always have room for doubt. That maybe you don’t know everything, but to go ahead and do something anyway to elevate your understanding?

And then there is this...

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

― Harry S. Truman

I want credit. You want credit. We are human. We deserve credit. We deserve acknowledgment. Especially after all that ass-kicking?

The repercussions of taking this quote literally worry me.

For instance, what does it mean when my work gets credited? Should I just brush it aside, saying it was a team effort?

What about my unique contribution to the achievement of the specific goals, should I ignore that I had a role to play at the end? Or in the process of the work at hand, should I hide my unique strengths so it doesn’t seem like I am as we often say, trying to shine over everyone else?

Should I deem my light?

And finally,

“Having a low opinion of yourself is not 'modesty.' It's self-destruction. Holding your uniqueness in high regard is not 'egotism.' It's a necessary precondition to happiness and success.” Bobbe Sommer

With Bobbe’s quote, I find some comfort. 

The distinctions of egotism start to pave a light of clarity. Aha, so I can be unique but not negatively full of myself, disregarding everyone else strengths and accomplishments?

Besides if acknowledging myself triggers my happy hormone dopamine (Which scientifically it does…when you accomplish a goal), how is it such a bad thing?

 This I am willing to play with.

What about you? How is being humble or modest getting in the way of your career?

I hope you find the courage to own your uniqueness this new month!

Love & Light 

Martha