Humility demands respect, as it is often considered a virtue, in contrast to other forms of pride and arrogance. Not everyone is humble because of the fact that we all know. Human beings tend to take pride in their worldly possessions by flaunting them when their wealth is the epitome of their glory. For those in power or authority, they will never hesitate to flex their muscles in the face of opposition. Yet how many of us are humble enough to take a stand and admit our mistakes when we mess up? If for a moment, we can declare through actions, not words… that “I am humble”, that in itself can command respect, even admiration from those around us.
When you are wrong, be humble and be the first to admit the mistake and apologize, so that any conflict or tension is resolved amicably. Now, that is the Power of Humility! Being arrogant can only cause problems or problems that we must avoid at all costs. Good leaders often exhibit good traits including strength, wisdom, charisma, enthusiasm, and vision. The opposite can be said of bad leaders who are selfish, self-centered, arrogant, conceited, corrupt, and evil.
Leaders are most powerful when they are humble. Perhaps the most humble leader in the world, humbly resigning after five years, is the president of Uruguay, José Mujica. Uruguayans call their outgoing president simply “Pepe”! Although he is the head of state, he refuses to dress pompously, ride in a limo or reside in a presidential palace. Such is the humility of him!
Ways humility can make us a better person or leader include:
- Be open to people’s opinions: Managers who possess traits of humility tend to seek input from their colleagues to make sure they have all the facts, in order to make decisions that benefit their team. People would like to work for those who value their opinions, instead of ignoring or dismissing them.
- Attend to the needs of others – Taking care of the environment in which your team lives or works is to ensure that they have what they need to do a good job.
- Admit mistakes – To err is human but to admit our mistakes is to be humble. We not only admit our mistakes, but we must be able to rectify them accordingly.
- Accept ambiguity – know when to take charge and when to let go. Try not to force anything to go your way and put others down.
- Focus on the needs of others: Do not focus on your needs, but also those of others at home and at work. This will provide better understanding and communication.
Sometimes it’s vital to admit you don’t know the best answer and be humble that until you have the best information to make a decision or change, you’ll have to wait to find out. Nobody is infallible except God.