The Power of Humility in Leadership: 7 Behaviors of Successful Leaders

Leadership is often associated with charisma, confidence, and assertiveness. However, some of the worst leaders that people have encountered lack humility. This trait is often overlooked and underrated in leadership, but it can be a powerful tool in promoting success for individuals or organizations. According to Jim Collins, a renowned management researcher, successful companies are often led by Level 5 Leaders who possess two critical skills: humility and professional will. In this article, we explore seven behaviors intrinsic to leaders who exhibit humility and how it contributes to their success.

1. They Don’t Toot Their Own Horns

Level 5 Leaders are modest yet willful, humble yet fearless. They exhibit confidence, strength, and boldness without boasting about their accomplishments, intelligence, or experience. These leaders are appreciated for their understated but obvious confidence, and they give credit when credit is due. Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Eleanor Roosevelt are excellent examples of leaders who display duality. They demonstrate a fierce will to succeed in their causes without taking the credit for themselves.

2. They Get Their Hands Dirty

Leaders who are in touch with their employees and customers make better decisions about their businesses and build better connections. Effective leaders who interact with their teams from time to time and observe how their tasks are being performed often make the best decisions. This practice is commonly referred to as “Managing By Wandering Around” or MBWA. As Steve Jobs famously said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”

3. They Empower Those Around Them

Leaders who lead by example are often more effective than those who micromanage or take control. Level 5 Leaders understand that their employees are a company’s greatest asset, they hire the right people and trust them to do their job. The staff know that their bosses believe in them, and they become more proactive and willing to offer fresh ideas. A bottom-up management style that empowers employees to provide input in decision-making and toward attaining goals is effective in empowering and building trust in the team.

4. They Don’t Play the Blame Game

As the saying goes, “An honest enemy is better than a false friend.” Leaders who exhibit humility and accept responsibility for failure garner respect. Such leaders understand that if they take the blame, they become more empowered to take the necessary steps to fix the problem. Conversely, when success is achieved, they credit the team members and other factors that contribute to it. Leaders who lack humility tend to blame others for failure and credit themselves for success, and they often lose the trust of their employees and colleagues.

5. They Think Long-Term

Leaders who make decisions based on short-term gains often fail in the long run. They may seem intuitive and productive at the time but may not contribute to the long-term success of the company. Leaders who think long-term, on the other hand, make the right choices. Making short-term decisions such as downsizing in order to increase stock prices is a common example of short-term thinking that can hurt companies’ long-term goals, employee morale, and productivity.

6. They Exhibit Social Responsibility

Corporate leaders who strive for social change are practicing humility. By using their power to influence and initiate positive change, they create a ripple effect that causes a domino effect of philanthropy and change. They can do this using sustainable strategies such as ethical sourcing, minimizing environmental footprints, providing employees with time off to volunteer, and matching charitable donations. Leaders of smaller organizations or groups can also set an example for their teams by volunteering and participating in charitable acts.

7. They Are Dedicated to the Growth of People

Leaders who possess humility realize that investing in the people around them is key to their organization’s growth. They practice mentoring and provide guidance to newer and younger employees by passing on important skills, knowledge, and information. They don’t hoard information, demonstrating a willingness to learn from others and invest in their team. Leaders who invest in their team’s development and provide a platform for growth earn the respect and loyalty of their employees.

In conclusion, humility is an essential trait of successful leaders. Leaders who possess this trait understand the importance of empowering their teams, being accountable for their actions, and investing in the people around them. Their efforts help create a culture of collaboration, trust, and humility. By incorporating these behaviors, you can become a better leader while paving the way for your organization’s growth and success.