A New Understanding of Ferocious Humility
Pathetic synonyms for humility include shyness, reserve, and self-abasement. Humility isn’t weakness.
Humility is more than you think. Are you strong enough to be humble?
5 Practices of Ferocious Humility:
Humility is more than openness.
Dad taught me to love learning. Every morning, before breakfast, he studied something. When he wasn’t studying, he read to expand his knowledge. It might be ancient history, or how to rebuild a carburetor.
Humility learns but so does arrogance. The difference is motivation. Arrogance learns to bolster ego, prove superiority, and gain personal advantage. Humble people learn to grow and benefit others.
#1. Practice: Seek advice every day, especially when you don’t need it.
Humility is more than patience.
The tough side of humility is tenacity. A humble person bites into a commitment and won’t let go. Sadness defeats big egos. When arrogance doesn’t get what it wants it quits. Humility looks disappointment in the eye and sneers.
#2. Practice: Keep going, even when others disappoint.
Humility is more than gentleness.
The generosity of a humble person amuses hubris. Ego serves itself. Humility actively takes care of others, while selfish ambition advantages itself. Those who think serving is easy are likely serving themselves.
#3. Practice: Show up seeking to advantage others.
Humility is more than flexibility.
A humble person is rigid about doing the right thing. Ego bends the rules for personal gain. It lies to step on people. Arrogance seeks revenge. Humility is flexible with people but doesn’t yield ethical standards.
#4. Practice: Seek and explain the right thing to do.
Humility does more than listen.
Self-importance bristles at constructive feedback. It’s angered at correction and makes excuses when confronted. Humility seeks improvement. Comfort seduces arrogance.
#5. Practice: Ask yourself and others how you can be better.
What are some rigorous practices of humility?
Still curious:
My Disappointing Adventure with Humility
From Hubris to Intellectual Humility: Advantages for Modern Leaders
3 Things We Get Wrong About Humility
A New Way to Become More Open-Minded
This is really good Dan! So often, people think confidence is arrogance. But it’s often the opposite
Good point, Michael.
Hello Dan,
One of your best articles, I must say.
As a leader of high-performing teams and individuals in the operational consulting arena, you can imagine that I work with a diverse set of people with varied backgrounds and experiences. The nature of our business demands a very high level of performance while at the same time taking on the attitude of humility to serve our clients. In many cases clients that dont think they need the help. Your article strikes the real balance between humility and maintaining a high level of performance. It is not an either/or perspective, but a both/and.
This is definitely one I will be sharing with my colleagues.
Thank you!
Jay
Thanks, Jay. It’s unfortunate that humility is viewed as a low performance attitude. Frankly, it’s the opposite. It’s a pleasure to be useful. Cheers
Good morning, Dan. I really like this deeper inspection of humility. Also, I am always pulled into your work by your ability to assign tangible behaviors to inanimate concepts/characteristics…”Humility looks disappointment in the eye and sneers.” You do a great job of making your thought visual! Gratitude looks you in the eye and says thank you. 🙂
Thanks for jumping in today, WP. And thanks for the feedback on my writing. Frankly, when I limit humility to emotions, I’m in trouble. Sometimes I feel proud. I can’t control those spontaneous emotions, but I can always control my behaviors.
I love this perspective, there are many times I have seen humility perceived by others as a weakness, when it is one of the most difficult things to pursue….I have always connected humility with meekness. It takes so much more strength to respond with humility and meekness than to give into our selfish ego that wants to prove “itself.”
Thank you for your daily commitment to encouraging others Dan!
Wow, you nailed it, Joe. One reason humility is rare is arrogance is easy and natural for many of us. Speaking for myself, humility takes way more attention and effort than pride. At the same time, meekness means keeping my strength under careful management.
…indeed, were always moving toward it.
Thanks for your frequent insights.
My pleasure, Ken. Thank you for stopping in.
Great Post and reinforces the saying – Bend like the grass that you do not Break
Thanks, Sam…. Humility is flexible especially when it comes to methods.
“Self-importance bristles at constructive feedback. It’s angered at correction and makes excuses when confronted. Humility seeks improvement. Comfort seduces arrogance.” This entire post was very convicting. I am not being honest with myself in regards to how much arrogance I carry inside.
Thanks, Dream… We see ourselves in a steam-covered mirror. We catch glimpses of ourselves on the edges. The willingness to acknowledge the reality of self-deception is useful and healthy. Many cognitive biases are expressions of self-deception.
Jesus washed others feet…………and said to be first you must be last!!
Servant Leadership modeled perfectly.
Thanks for chiming in, nlidvall.