Is Humility the most important quality of a leader?
This week, I had a really enjoyable and wide ranging conversation with a founder and one of the things we discussed was the importance of humility as a leader.
Whilst it is often easy to think that leadership qualities should all be about confidence, assertiveness, and charisma. An equally crucial but less frequently talked about trait is humility, which I think should form the cornerstone of effective leadership, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, a genuine regard for others and continuous improvement.
Humility in leadership involves recognising one's limitations, valuing others' contributions, and remaining open to feedback and new ideas. Humble leaders prioritise the team's success over their personal glory. Former Navy Seal and author Jocko Willink is quoted as saying ?“For leaders, the humility to admit and own mistakes and develop a plan to overcome them is essential to success. The best leaders are not driven by ego or personal agendas.”
Humility is especially prominent in the concept of Level 5 Leadership, as introduced by Jim Collins in his book, "Good to Great."
He describes the key attributes of Level 5 Leadership, as -
Self-Effacing and Humble: Level 5 leaders attribute success to their team and external factors rather than their own capabilities. They share credit generously and accept responsibility for failures, fostering a culture of accountability.
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Focused on Long-Term Success: These leaders are not driven by immediate recognition. Instead, they are committed to building enduring greatness, ensuring that the organisation thrives even after they have moved on.
Unwavering Resolve: Despite their humility, Level 5 leaders possess a strong determination to achieve their goals. They are resilient, demonstrating tenacity in the face of challenges.
Empowerment and Development: They prioritise the growth and development of their team members, understanding that an empowered team is crucial for sustained success.
I think in today’s world more than ever, humility is a key trait for effective leadership. Can it be developed? I think so. Developing humility as a leader involves intentional effort by seeking feedback, openly acknowledging and learning from mistakes, congratulating others and constant self-reflection.
Have you seen level 5 leadership at work?
I am interested to hear your thoughts.
Executive Coach @ Values Based Leadership | Leadership Consultant
5 个月I agree with all that you say here Peter. Good to Great is an absolute 'must' for all aspiring leaders and for those who have been at it a while as a reminder to reflect on what great leadership is. Having humility as a leader is even more important in this, the third decade this century with quite a different makeup of generations in our leadership teams. Gen Y & Z value honesty and humility and quite frankly don't respond to directive, ego driven leaders - thank goodness!
Partner @ Convergence Partners AG | Venture Capital investments, Deeptech & Healthtech
5 个月Thanks for sharing I concur with you Peter on this
Leader Online | N?sa | Cybertruck driver
5 个月Ive been a Leader all my life!! I think humour and humilty are both up there ??
Chief Executive Officer - Wallder Limited
5 个月Peter, this really is first class and so, so true. Please keep them coming! Regards - David
Growing the best HealthTech businesses | CEO Coach | Growth Advisor | Chairman | Helping leaders and organisations unlock potential, accelerate growth and shape the future of healthcare.
5 个月Great point about Level 5 leadership Peter. But humility needs a partner. Arrogant leaders are unfortunately common, but meek milquetoasts rarely inspire greatness. I believe the most unstoppable leaders combine humility with a relentless hunger to learn, grow, and achieve. They are humble enough to admit they don't know everything but hungry enough to never stop learning.