Leaders are Humble and Kind
I just began training for a half marathon that was rescheduled to July. Check out Martian races. This is my favorite event because it’s my chance to give back to the running community as a pacer. Also, I love to wear fun martian costumes so that the runners can see where the pacer is. Who knows if the event will go on or not, but I choose optimism. Besides, being locked in my house with all of the food requires a great deal of exercise. I’m not going to lie, getting back on a schedule has not been easy, but even yesterday with a 100% chance of rain all day I got my butt out there and did it.
I also spent a little time watching TV. I adore The Masked Singer. Everyone is so positive and supportive. It takes me to a happy place. The judges support the singers and they support each other – even when sometimes they make such a ridiculous remark – that would be mostly Judge Ken Jeong – they support each other. No spoilers if you aren’t caught up, but this week Rhino sang the most beautiful Tim McGraw song, Humble and Kind. Here are a few of the lyrics
Don’t expect a free ride from no one
Don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why
Bitterness keeps you from flying
Always stay humble and kind
It goes on to say
When those dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind
What a great leadership lesson. Leaders are humble and kind
“Mastery begins with humility.” Robin Sharma
Humility is not generally listed in the top characteristics of leaders. In fact, it is frequently overlooked because some confuse humility with weakness. So yes, there are some weak ass leaders out there, but it’s not humility that makes them weak – it is other deficiencies. Humility is greatly described in this CS Lewis quote “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
We all hate a braggart right? The people we admire most, the people we want to follow are not the showoffs. The leaders we follow by choice are the ones who do not need to convince us of their greatness. The most inspiring leaders show exceptional character and use their skills, knowledge and experience to bring people together. Leaders who come from humility use their success for the greater good, not to self promote.
Forbes Magazine published “A survey of 105 computer software and hardware firms published in the Journal of Management revealed that humility in CEOs led to higher-performing leadership teams, increased collaboration and cooperation and flexibility in developing strategies.
Why do you think that is?
Humble Leaders
Humble leaders are authentic. We can see them as human because they are not perfect. They are open to feedback, coaching and self-improvement. Speed of the leader; speed of the team. When the leader is open to learning, the team is open to learning and is constantly growing. We know that if you’re not growing you’re – yep, dying.
Humble leaders shine the light on others. It’s not their success it’s the team’s success. And it is true, when you shine the light on others it comes back to you 1,000 times. This tie into the importance of significance. Significance is an important human need and humble leaders understand that their team needs recognition from them. They create environments where employees thrive because the more a leader acknowledges the strengths of their team members, the more motivated team members will be to succeed. This is much more positive and sustaining than producing fear-driven results.
“To lead the people, walk behind them.” Lao Tzu By leveling out the playing field and being more of an equal the humble leader will bring teams together as a collaborative rather than a competition. By removing the need for team members to compete to be the best it frees them to truly focus on the work and do their best.
The Great Game of Business
There are so many more reasons to lead with humility. The last one I will leave you with today is that leadership is part of the great game of business. No one likes a sore winner. When you succeed with humility it is seen as a win with integrity, honor, and dignity and people will rejoice in celebrating that.
True leadership isn’t about being the best, it is about serving people. When you put pride and ego aside and show through your own actions it is better to be self aware than right, it is better to learn from a mistake rather than hide it or blame it on others, it is better to cultivate everyone’s ideas rather than limit yourself to your own ideas, then you are a leader.
Listen on apple podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Trackbacks/Pingbacks