Humility as a Strength

Humility. In a world of preening and now even raging arrogance, we could all use a big dose of humility. It's a major key to the best life we can have, the finest relationships, the top results, and our own lifetime learning. And, as is often the case these days, its general reputation is the opposite of the truth.

Too many people view humility as what the sometimes fascinating and often irritating philosopher Nietzsche would call a slave quality. It's seen as servile and weak, shot through with unfortunate lowly beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. On this false view, the humble person is always either silent or soft-spoken because he or she has low self-esteem and ultimately self-defeating beliefs about his or her capacities and prospects in the world. The truth could not be more different.

Here's the truth. Humility is a vital and empowering virtue essential to human flourishing. It's not about false beliefs, or low self opinions, or anything like that. It involves a proper self image, a positive view of what others have to offer, and typically also an eagerness to improve both self and society. I ended the book If Aristotle Ran General Motors with a discussion of humility and nobility in balance as the keys to leadership greatness. We see this dynamic balance in spiritually mature people, and it always makes a difference for good in the world. But in business and politics, humility is too often grossly misunderstood and avoided as a sign or signal of weakness or even, oddly, of untrustworthiness. And then, bad things result.

There is a rare business called The Humble Company, started by dentists in Sweden, a purveyor of personal care products. But can you imagine a US consultancy called "The Humble Consultants" or "Humble Brand Management" or "Humble Advisors, LLC"? I'd actually love to see this. They could post on social media a regular update on the good they were doing, called "The Humble Brag." They could even have a slogan: "We've Got A Lot to Be Humble About." But of course nobody would hire them. And we have to turn that around.

Aristotle didn't understand humility as a strength. But nobody's right about everything. He was a real genius, but he was wrong about a few very big things. So he actually had a lot to be humble about. But that's another discussion. In closing: I recommend humility. It's a key to civility and respect, to creativity, and to great community. And it's easier to cultivate than you might think. Or at least, this perspective is one I submit for your consideration, of course, humbly.