Humility & Leadership - For maximum team results, sometimes you need to check your ego at the door.

Over the years I have taken the time to observe the key traits that great leaders possess. Certainly, there are many. Each trait could foster a healthy debate as to which are the most important. However, there is one trait that I believe is often overlooked. That is to say, it does not often come up in a conversation when describing great leaders. That trait is humility. I must admit, I am constantly working on perfecting this trait as well.

A great leader should impact the lives of those they lead or represent. In order to impact lives in a positive fashion one must build trust, inspire, and motivate others with direction and embrace the concept of continuous learning and growth for not only their team, but for themselves as well. This is precisely why you want to surround yourself with quality, talented individuals creating an environment that supports and fosters open and honest feedback.

As stated earlier there are many key traits associated with a great leader. I believe the following are some of the most important.

?·???????? Strong communication skills

·???????? Strong diplomatic skills

·???????? An ability to articulate plans clearly and concisely

·???????? Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

·???????? An ability to teach versus simply command

·???????? The desire to truly listen to your team versus simply hearing them

·???????? The ability to identify top talent and, most importantly, develop that talent

·???????? Conducting yourself in a manner that talented individuals want to emulate, even when no one is watching

And finally, exhibiting “humility” at the appropriate times. The benefits of “checking your ego at the door” when appropriate, are many.

Here’s what I believe are the three biggest benefits. ?

?1. Developing a relationship that is built on a “foundation of trust”: Exhibiting humility helps leaders build trust and credibility among their team members. When leaders approach others with humility versus arrogance, they show that they are open to feedback, willing to learn, and value the contributions of others. This creates a calming work environment and encourages team members to voice their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment.

?2. Through your words and actions, “inspiring and motivating others”: We’ve heard this before. It’s not enough to “talk the talk”, you need to “walk the walk”. Humble leaders inspire and motivate their team members by demonstrating that no task is beneath them. They very often roll up their sleeves without hesitation, get their hands dirty, and lead by example. This attitude encourages others to do the same and fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork among all.

3. Continuous “learning and growth” versus “command and control”: We all have limitations. Humility enables leaders to acknowledge their own personal limitations and embrace a growth mindset. Your team will take notice of this and appreciate your efforts to learn and further develop your skills. Strong leaders actively look for opportunities to learn, improve their skills, and develop as leaders. By demonstrating a willingness to learn from mistakes and adapt their approach, versus trying to cover-up their mistakes, humble leaders create a culture of continuous learning and growth, within their teams versus a command and control “just do it” mentality.

It's important to keep in mind that humility is crucial in leadership for building trust, inspiring others, and embracing a continuous learning and growth leadership style. By exhibiting humility, leaders can create an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and the overall success of everyone on the team.

I hope this leadership tip helps as you navigate the often-turbulent waters surrounding your career. Feel free to share this article with colleagues, friends, or relatives that you believe will benefit from the direction.

Be well and as always, remember, experience is useless if not shared. -MC

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