The Humility Advantage
Jim Collins said, “Humble leaders look in the mirror when things go wrong and out the window when things go right.”
Arrogance advantages self over others.
Ego-Centric Leadership
To gain advantage, ego-centric leaders …
- Manipulate.
- Feel entitled.
- Seek status.
- Exploit the powerless.
Competence without humility creates dangerous capability.
Spotting Humility
#1. How do you deliver bad news? (Speak directly, early, kindly, with shared responsibility.)
#2. What do you do when you disagree with higher-ups? (Speak up privately with openness.)
#3. When does diplomacy become manipulation? (When the goal is control over clarity.)
#4. When is it acceptable to bend policy to get results? (When policy violates organizational values and you are willing to be transparent.)
#5. What recognition matters most to you? (Knowing my work made the team better.)
#6. What frustrates you about compensation conversations? (When expectations are unclear.)
#7. What are some things your teammates do better than you? (Most things technical. Some in specific qualities like attention to detail.)
#8. Who is easier to work with than you? Why? (Leaders who pause and listen before responding.)
#9. When does loyalty to results outweigh loyalty to people? (Short-term results never justify treating people poorly.)
#10. When do you feel embarrassed as a leader? (When I’m motivated by fear or ego.)
Humble Leadership Checklist
- Take responsibility.
- Admit mistakes plainly.
- Give specific examples rather than vagaries.
- Credit others naturally.
- Build genuine relationships.
- Refuse to cut corners.
- Don’t seek special treatment.
- Ignore the seduction of admiration.
- See the strengths of others.
Humility puts strength to work for others.
What aspects of humility do leaders struggle with?
Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership HBR
