Moving to Lisbon, underlined, bolded, and italicized humility

It’s been a little time since I’ve written here. Over three weeks ago, I found myself standing on the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, a city that had always seemed so distant and enchanting when viewed through the lens of my dreams. The decision to move from the United States to Portugal had been a leap of faith, and now, reality was setting in.

The challenges were abundant, and humility quickly became my closest companion. Here we stood in our new empty flat with 13 suitcases, a dog, and my wife looking at each other, saying….ok, what should we do first?

Ikea, 15 minutes away, won our first major trip out.

At first, I underestimated the extent of culture shock, believing my worldly experiences had prepared me for anything. The language barrier was one of the first lessons in humility, as I fumbled through basic phrases, struggling to communicate even the simplest of needs. Smiles and gestures became my universal language, bridging the gap between my unfamiliarity and the warmth of the locals. Oh, and the translate app on our phone.

Learning the intricate etiquette of Portuguese society was equally humbling. I made mistakes in social settings, not understanding the nuances of their customs. Whether it was the customary cheek kisses or the rules of politeness, I often felt like an outsider, aware of my lack of understanding.

I am grateful for the handful of friends we had here before we came who took us in and invited us to a Halloween party the first week we were here. We went as the only thing we could with what we had around us to dress up for the party…. ’lost luggage.’ (photo below)

Yet, humility persisted as a patient teacher. It whispered in my ear, reminding me that it was okay not to know everything and that there was value in embracing the unknown and appreciating the beauty of a foreign culture.

In a short amount of time, my interactions with locals settled, and I began to know a few locals and my neighbors.

Two weeks into this new chapter of my life, I reflect on the profound significance of humility in leadership. It's not just a quality we must exercise when adapting to a new culture; it's a trait that leaders should strive to embody. It's about recognizing our limits, accepting our mistakes, and learning from them. It's about valuing the perspectives and insights of those around us, especially when they come from different backgrounds or cultures.

So, I ask, what can we ask of ourselves in our leadership about humility?

Can we approach our roles with the same openness, vulnerability, and desire to learn I've discovered in my journey to Lisbon?

Can we embrace the unfamiliar, celebrate the diversity of thought and experience, and use humility as a tool to bridge gaps and build stronger, more inclusive communities?

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