Yesterday’s leaders had a relatively clear sense of their market and the tools in their kit. Today’s leaders face a landscape that shifts as rapidly as clouds in the sky, and their toolkit is constantly becoming out of date. Humans aren’t machines and we often make mistakes. By embracing an attitude of humility leaders can connect in a real way with their teams, derive powerful insights, and make smarter decisions for their companies, allowing them to advance at the forefront of change.
Most importantly, leaders who are humble and admit mistakes outshine the rest of them. Take a look at Fast Company’s excellent article written by Gwen Moran, Ways Humility Can Make You A Better Leader.
Some key takeaways from the article:
- When we think of traits leaders typically exhibit, many come to mind—including strength, charisma, enthusiasm, and vision. One important component is often overlooked: humility.
- Research in the January 2014 issue of the Administrative Science Quarterly found that managers who exhibit traits of humility—such as seeking feedback and focusing on the needs of others—resulted in better employee engagement and job performance.
- There’s a difference between being a humble leader and being a pushover.
- Humble leaders seek input from others, they don’t pretend to have all the answers. They admit when they’re wrong. They are aware of team member needs, truly looking out for their best interest. They can self-reflect and accept the unknowns.
- Most importantly, humble leaders let people do their jobs and don’t micromanage them. They trust their people will do good work.
If you liked reading this article, you might also enjoy 3 Steps To Brainstorm Like A Googler.