Arrogance produces poverty of spirit.
Humility enables you to become your best self.
Comparison and contrast
Humility says:
You have room to grow.
Others have untapped genius.
The world goes on with or without you.
You are a wisp of air in the story of time.
Arrogance says:
Everything revolves around you.
You are indispensable.
Others need to change.
You have arrived.
Humility: 10 simple ways to quiet arrogance
#1. Reflect on the staggering regularity of the evening sky.
#2. Acknowledge that animals do things you can’t.
- Fleas jump 50 to 100 times their body length. You could jump over a 50 story building if you could jump like a flea.
- Dung beetles push the human equivalent of an 80 ton poop ball.
- Emperor penguins dive over 1,000 feet in freezing water.
- Great white sharks sense blood in the water three miles away.
- Star fish regenerate body parts.
- Birds fly.
- Fish breathe water.
Beauty is humbling.
We don’t aspire to become animals, fish, or bugs, but they are remarkable.
#3. Notice sameness.
You’re not special. Everyone on earth is fundamentally the same. Commonality quiets arrogance.
#4. Know you don’t know.
Things you don’t know exceed things you know.
Everything you know began with someone else.
#5. Admit you depend on others.
Independence is a destructive myth propagated by arrogance.
#6. Embrace frailty.
Small changes in temperature, air pressure, or air quality cause death.
#7. Seek corrective feedback.
#8. Notice others.
Focus outward.
Honor people’s achievements. Express gratitude. Show appreciation.
#9. Practice a new skill.
Being a novice quiets arrogance and increases humility.
#10. Be firm with grace and kindness.
Arrogance blusters.
Humility is tough and tender at the same time.
10 advantages of humility
- Human connection.
- Self-knowledge.
- Grounded confidence.
- Openness.
- Wonder.
- Learning.
- Kindness.
- Broad perspectives.
- Generosity.
- Forgiveness.
Everything good in leadership begins with humility.
How are you quieting arrogance?
