Humble leaders are considered “gems” due to their strong leadership qualities that can be felt despite seeking fewer spotlights. These leaders are admired by many, inspiring others to follow suit. What makes them even more valuable is their underrated traits, which other people often overlook.
What is a Humble Leader?
Humble leaders are not defined by their titles or positions of authority, but rather by their actions and character. They are quick to recognize and acknowledge their own limitations and mistakes. Aware of their own weakness, they are willing to actively learn from others. No matter if they are introverts or extroverts, humility are present in those who acknowledge their weakness and is open for growth. Unlike narcissistic leaders, who are more likely to disempower the people around them, humble leaders empower and uplift others. In other words, they would rather give others attention than to themselves.
Leadership and Teamwork: The Impact of Humble Leadership
Research has shown that humble leaders are not only more effective in building successful teams and organizations. They also create a positive and inclusive work culture. Not only that, research reveals that humble leaders make great relationships among leaders and teams, improve task performance, boost creativity, increase trust, psychological safety and high job satisfaction.
If you have a humble leader, as a team member, you will experience:
- Support
- Acknowledgment
- Clear communication
- Understanding
- Growth opportunities
- Respectful environment
- Trust
- Helpful feedback
- Honesty
- Motivation
Traits of Humble Leaders
- Empathy: Humble leaders are able to understand and connect with the emotions and experiences of others, leading to stronger relationships and better decision-making.
- Self-Awareness: They are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and are open to feedback and self-improvement.
- Servant Leadership: Humble leaders see themselves as servants to their team, working to support and empower others to reach their full potential.
- Authenticity: They are genuine and transparent in their actions, creating a culture of trust and openness.
How to Cultivate Humble Leadership (with improvements)
Practice Active Listening
Take the time to truly listen to others without judgment or interruption. Listening to others is one of the most underrated traits of leadership behaviors that is often missed. Active listening involves not only listening but also with the intention to understand. People who are too confident in their own abilities may struggle to listen to others’ input and feedback.
Acknowledge Mistakes
Admit when you are wrong and learn from your failures. No humans is perfect and it can be impossible to avoid from making mistakes. Instead of being too hard on yourself, try to actively learn from it and try not to avoid it. With this, one could be a better version of themselves and repeat less past mistakes.
Empower Others
Encourage and support the growth and development of your team members. This would boost trust and strengthen relationships with them. In return, the team members are more likely to provide their insights and solutions that can help your current tasks or business.
Lead by Example
Demonstrate humility and lead by example in your interactions with others. Lead by example means to make others do the same thing that you do as a leader. Other leadership examples could include taking actions on your promises, coming at work on time, trusting your team, and being reliable. Since leaders impact work culture the most, this would shape a team according to the leadership behavior that has been shown to them.
While humble leaders possess traits that represent exemplary leadership behaviors, they also face challenges. With their humble nature of not seeking spotlight, they might not be able to receive the appropriate recognition. They also may struggle to be more decisive since they may be more focused on gaining inputs that everyone agrees with. They would also may face being taken advantage of by others because they prioritize more on others’ needs.
To seek improvements, they could:
- Actively seek recognition in appropriate way
- Establish clear boundaries
- Make a more timely decision to avoid delay
- Develop assertive leadership roles
Conclusions
Humble leaders are the ones who embody effective leadership through empathy, self-awareness, and servant leadership. They foster trust, respect, and collaboration by actively listening, acknowledging mistakes, empowering others, and leading by example. Embracing their qualities leads to more inclusive, productive, and harmonious workplaces, inspiring a new generation of leaders who value humility as a cornerstone of success.
