Employees might join companies, but they leave managers. Too many managers view their position as one of entitlement rather than one of responsibility. Managers define culture, and culture under-girds the lasting health, success and sustainability of an organization.
The biggest danger of leadership: Arrogance
According to research from the University of Washington Foster School of Business, humble people are more likely to be make the most effective leaders. It turns out, humility offers a competitive advantage.
So why has arrogant or narcissistic leaders become the norm:
It has been historically perceived that humility is a sign of weakness and an antithesis to leadership. There is still an expectation that successful leaders are more arrogant than humble. Narcissism is mistaken for self-confidence and toxic leaders seem to be in control of everything. They are able to provide short-term results but the truth is they leave a a trail of destruction in their path. Organizations pay heavily for such managers with low engagement, high turnover and reduced productivity.
The x– factor of great leadership is not personality, it’s humility.” -Jim Collins
The Power of Humility in the Workplace
Leading with humility means focusing on others and practicing servant leadership. Humble leaders:
1.They put people first. There focus is on serving others. They do not get consumed by seeking out more power. Instead, they seek more ways to help others.
2. They admit their mistakes. All leaders make mistakes. Humble leaders own up to them. They don’t play the blame game when things go wrong. Instead they hold themselves accountable. Vulnerability builds trust.
3. They share information and delegate. Humble leaders are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They realize that they cannot do everything. They delegate because the work is more important than their ego.
4. They listen – They are approachable to employees and this allows them to create an environment of open communication and effective feedback.
5. They do not hesitate to give credit where credit is due. They appreciate the contributions of others. They are quick to recognize and reward the efforts of team members.
6. They are empathetic to those in their charge. They genuinely care about employees and employees can feel this sincerity. Empathy allows them to build healthy relationships and bond with team members.
7. They are authentic. They are the same person in every situation. This makes them trustworthy. Authenticity goes hand in hand with integrity. They are individuals of integrity.
” No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people tells all. Integrity is everything.”
Humility doesn’t mean that leaders can’t make tough decisions. A humble leader should not be mistaken for a weak one. It takes strength, courage, and wisdom to practice humility.
Weak leaders measure success by money, position and power. Strong leaders measure success by the difference they made in other people’s lives.
Humble leaders get the best from people. They have more influence, they retain top talent, and they earn more respect and loyalty than those who rely upon ego and power. Want to be a good leader? Start by taking a slice of humble pie!
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Leading the Workforce of the Future
