The Path to Meaningful Contribution Begins Here
Arrogance stabs itself in the chest in order to get what it wants. But strangely, the beauty of humility terrifies.
Arrogance serves self-destructive goals.
Humility pursues meaningful contribution.
Arrogance:
- Pretends.
- Intimidates.
- Serves itself.
- Stands aloof.
- Takes offense.
- Tears down.
- Destroys itself.
The veneer of self-importance empties meaning from leading.
Genuine humility enables meaningful contribution.
Humility during one-on-ones:
Evaluate people through the lens of their talent, not your achievements.
When you talk about yourself to employees, brag about the people who contributed to your development. “Mary helped me develop healthy drive by …,” for example.
Humility while leading meetings:
A blabbermouth at the head of the table devalues the talent around the table.
Humility creates space for others to talk. The battle for powerful people to listen more and talk less is seldom won.
Enable lively conversation:
- Assign discussion topics to team members before the meeting. “Bob, will you please come prepared to start the conversation about improving our one-on-ones?”
- Expect and honor constructive dissent instead of comfortable consensus.
- Ask, “If you had to choose today, what would you do? Why?”
- Seek multiple options before making decisions. “And what else?”
Humility while giving direction:
Bark commands when the house is on fire. Beyond that, say please.
The word ‘please’ gets caught in my throat. I’m comfortable with thank you. But the only time I use please is when I force myself.
- Would you please?
- Could you please?
- Please….
Arrogance tells. Humility asks.
Humility and talent:
Everyone has talent. Some things come naturally to everyone. You might love detailing car wheels after washing your car. Another might relish turning over rocks to find bugs.
Talent produces humility because you were born with it – like everyone else.
Sing with gratitude if you’ve found a place where your talent makes meaningful contribution.
How might leaders help others make meaningful contribution?
Sing with gratitude if you’ve found a place where your talent makes meaningful contribution. Ah yes, it feels so good when you do reach that point to say and claim that statement.
Thanks Roger. It’s such a pleasure. Partly because leveraging our talent is enjoyable to us while we make contribution.
Dear Dan,
Liked your continuing the post on Humility.
You have come up with a powerful statement, “Genuine humility enables meaningful contribution”. It’s very much true that participants feel the atmosphere of confidence, faith, fairness and appreciation when they know that their leader is having an open mind and welcomes creative ideas in the interest of an organization.
Humility normally is an imbibed trait and comes with experience. People need to be respected and valued for their positive efforts in the organization growth.
“Humility creates space for others to talk. The battle for powerful people to listen more and talk less is seldom won.”
Humility also forms the basis for trust within a team. Leaders must set the example and be wiling to listen and learn from their team members – to allow others in the room to be subject matter experts and delight in their success. I appreciated the examples for inviting conversation and empowering others to lead conversation within a meeting.
I think humility pairs well with self sacrifice – the willingness to work hard without the constant need for selfish gratification. Servant leadership.
Hello Dan, Thank you for the insight on how to be a productive leader in a business. I can see a cohesive bond that would be created in a work place where I would be respected amongst my employees and peers. Humility often has the connotation of weakness but it is far from that. I thoroughly enjoyed the real life situations and examples. I look forward to future posts!
Hi, Dan.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on humility, it is truly refreshing! Often, I think of humility in the context of admitting flaws or weakness. However, you shine a completely different light on it that makes so much sense, especially with the practical application scenarios.