Humility is Key…

Humility might not be the first character trait you think of when you think about leadership characteristics.  You probably think of confident, positive, committed, fearless just to name a few.

Most people don’t associate being humble with being a great leader.

When you think of being humble you might conjure up thoughts of someone who is weak or cowardly, but in reality it is anything but that.  It’s actually at the heart of great leadership.

When a leader has humility, they can treat all employees equally.  A leader that exercises humility will never be looked at as over bearing or domineering.  Humility offers some balance and will show the people you lead your kindness and compassionate side.

In fact, a leader who is humble will earn the respect of their team members and in turn their loyalty.

Here are some guidelines to lead by to be a more humble leader…

1. Give credit where credit is due… A great leader will share the blame when things go south and praises their team when things go well. When your team reaches their goal successfully, let them take all the credit and do it sincerely.
2. Admit mistakes… A humble leader does not deny or deflect blame, they will admit to their error and move on.  Admitting to your mistakes will show your team your character and they will follow suit.
3. Request feedback… A truly humble leader can handle constructive criticism. This show that you are interested in progressing and learning.  BY doing this you will create a culture of sincerity and communication.
4. Let them follow your lead… Leading doesn’t mean just telling your employees what to do.  To lead effectively, you must be an example through your actions and not just your words.   Follow your values you believe in and encourage your team to do the same.
5. Be considerate… To earn respect you must give respect.  Whether on your immediate team or not, a humble leader will treat all employees with the same amount of respect and decorum.

In order to be an effective and respected leader you have to look past your individuality and put the needs of others before your own.

Instead of being seen as weak, humble leaders find it easier to continually adapt and role model positive qualities that will lead to better productivity and overall performance.   This leadership style will promote group encouragement and will give way to teams who rise above rivalry with each other and ultimately perform better together.

Truly great leaders inspire and set the example for their team and as a leader, it is imperative to show humility in everything you do and instill this value in others.  This will help you take your team farther!

Do you practice humility in your leadership style?

 

[themecolor]

Dave Baney is the founder and CEO of 55 Questions, LLC and author of “The 3×5 Coach: A Practical Guide to Coaching Your Team for Greater Results and Happier People“, which is now available in Paperback or a Kindle version at https://tinyurl.com/y8ecykfy

 

www.55Questions.com   Follow Dave on twitter https://twitter.com/55Questions

[/themecolor]