Why Humility Could Be Your Boldest Leadership Move
Is Humility Overrated in Leadership?
When we think of great leaders, what comes to mind? Visionary. Bold. Confident. Charismatic. In short, it’s a host of admirable qualities like intelligence, charisma, innovativeness, decisiveness, and a willingness to put in the hard work necessary to get things done. I could go on. But how often do we associate humility with leadership? Isn’t humility the antithesis of strength? This question often lingers in the minds of leaders striving to make an impact. After all, in a world that celebrates confidence and decisiveness, where does humility fit in?
If you’ve ever wondered whether humility weakens a leader’s authority or why it’s even necessary in today’s dynamic work culture, let me share a perspective that might change your mind. What if humility isn’t a weakness but the secret ingredient to sustainable success? After all, humble leaders listen more effectively, inspire great teamwork and focus everyone (including themselves) on organizational goals better than leaders who don’t score high on humility. So, let’s explore how Indian leaders can integrate humility into their leadership style to inspire trust, advance collaboration, and lead with authenticity.
Why Humility Matters More Than Ever
Leadership in Indian workplaces is as distinct as the country itself. It’s a lively mix of traditional hierarchies and modern collaboration. But here’s the catch: while respect for authority remains a cultural foundation, employees today expect leaders to be approachable and human.
Humility bridges this gap. Do you know how? It’s because humility essentially is the ability to see yourself as is. It is the ability to recognize your strengths and successes and be mindful of your weaknesses and limitations. Thus, it allows leaders to connect with people, encourage innovation, and build trust. Consider this quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” This philosophy is a reminder that true strength comes from acknowledging one’s weaknesses and being open to learning.
Such mindfulness is one of the biggest strengths of a leader. Contrary to the perception that humble leaders lack confidence, these leaders typically are fully confident in their skills and abilities. They know their strengths and blind spots and aren’t embarrassed or ashamed to admit it, the only thing is that they don’t allow their weaknesses to limit them rather they play on their strengths and work on their weaknesses.
Here are some effective ways to infuse humility in your leadership style:
Leading Self: The Foundation of Humility
How can you lead others if you can’t lead yourself? Humility begins with self-awareness. It’s about understanding that your position doesn’t make you infallible. Here’s how you can cultivate humility in leading yourself:
Acknowledge Your Flaws
Indian workplaces often have a “don’t admit mistakes” culture, where showing vulnerability is seen as a sign of weakness. But let me tell you, the strongest leaders I’ve met are the ones who own their mistakes. After all, everyone makes mistakes. Humility in leadership is also about admitting mistakes, being vulnerable and being open to growing and moving past errors – it’s about busting the myth of perfectionism and reinforcing humanness!
For instance, during a project review, instead of blaming your team for delays, take a moment to reflect on your own decisions. Could your directions have been clearer?
Seek Feedback Actively
One of my mentors, a senior leader at an IT firm, once said, “Feedback is like a mirror—it doesn’t lie.” To grow in life, and as a leader, one needs to welcome criticism with an open mind. Welcome the viewpoints coming from all around & reflect on them. Take feedback constructively and not as criticism. Make it a habit to seek feedback not just from superiors but also peers and juniors. It shows that you value their perspectives and are willing to grow.
Practice Gratitude
Start small. At the end of each day, write down one thing you’re grateful for in your professional life. Gratitude nurtures a mindset of humility by shifting focus from what you lack to what you have.
Leading Others: Building a Culture of Respect
When you lead others with humility, you empower them. It’s not about being a pushover; it’s about inspiring people by valuing their contributions.
Celebrate Team Wins, Share Personal Success
Have you noticed how team members light up when their efforts are publicly recognized? If your team completes a challenging project, celebrate them. If you receive an accolade, share the credit. Humility is about standing behind as a leader and ensuring the team enjoys the spotlight while taking the lead and responsibility when the team has not performed. For example, I once worked with a manager who made it a point to send thank-you notes to each team member after a successful product launch. It wasn’t elaborate, but it left a lasting impact.
Listen to Understand, Not to Respond
Humble leaders understand they are not the smartest people in the room. They are good listeners, believe in empowering, respecting differences and opinions and value each member. Understandably, as a manager, you may often juggle multiple priorities, making it tempting to cut conversations short. But when a team member approaches you with a concern, resist the urge to interrupt. Listening deeply can uncover insights you’d otherwise miss. After all, humility in leadership is about being an enabler, empowering and valuing each team member.
Create Psychological Safety
Encourage your team to voice their opinions without fear of judgment. If someone disagrees with you in a meeting, don’t become aggressive and go on to hold a grudge, instead appreciate their courage to speak up. This approach not only promotes innovation but also builds trust.
Balancing Authority with Approachability
Some leaders fear that being humble will erode their authority. But humility doesn’t mean you compromise on standards or allow chaos. It means balancing firmness with fairness.
Set Clear Expectations
Being humble doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations. If a team member underperforms, address it directly but with ‘empathy’. Frame it as an opportunity for growth rather than a reprimand. For example, instead of saying “I see you’ve missed the deadline, you need to pull up your socks, otherwise the consequences won’t be pretty!”, say: “I noticed the deadline wasn’t met. Let’s discuss what went wrong and how we can prevent this in the future.”
Be Open to Being Wrong
I once witnessed a senior leader revise an entire strategy after a junior analyst pointed out a flaw in the data. Admitting you’re wrong might feel uncomfortable, but it strengthens your credibility in the long run. Sometimes, leaders let ego get into their way of admission. Don’t be that person.
Key Takeaways: From Reflection to Action
- Humility in leadership can manifest in different ways in different people. It’s about recognizing that as a leader you are not invincible. The mindfulness that you, like every other person, have areas where you can grow, change, and improve.
- Humility in a leadership approach is not a weakness, in fact, it is a melange of positive qualities that includes sincerity, modesty, fairness, truthfulness, unpretentiousness, and authenticity. It is about being Human.
- Humble leaders are confident in their strengths and abilities. But they can also recognize gaps, challenges, and growth opportunities
- Humility entails better listening, increased collaboration, and a more compassionate leadership style. It is about being authentic and moving forward with the agility to learn and grow. These qualities lead to better outcomes, both for the leaders and their team.
- Whatever your leadership style, anchor it with humility for it offers an unmatched advantage to you as a leader right from gaining positive influence, makes you more accessible and relatable, helps you build trust and confidence, and drives better outcomes. Most importantly it helps you be a better leader!
“Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.”
— Ezra Taft Benson
So, here’s a challenge for you: the next time you’re in a meeting, pause before speaking. Listen. Reflect. And ask yourself—how can I lead with humility today?
Because leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about creating a space where every voice matters.
Would love to hear your thoughts—how do you practice humility in your leadership?
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