In workshops (including yesterday), I’m often asked how to raise confidence – either in ourselves or in those we lead. It is is a valuable question, yet it often leads to the question of balance – what’s the connection between confidence and humility? Today’s quotation addresses the humility side is a very simple and enlightening way.
Questions to Ponder
- Am I humble?
- In what situations might I benefit from greater humility?
- What is my balance between humility and confidence?
Action Steps
My Thoughts
When asking groups to give me a list of traits of highly effective leaders, both “confident” and “humble” often show up. The conversation often leads to the reality that confidence is important, but not the kind of confidence that is overwhelming bordering on cockiness. Today’s quotation, for me, is a perfect example of elegance. It describes the balance between confidence and humility perfectly and in very few words. When we think of humility in this way, it is much easier to see that we can be both confident and humble.
Seeing the difference is important. Living the difference will change your results.
Be humble today. Think of yourself less and of others more. Focus on their needs, and do so confident that that true humility will make a difference for those around you.
picture from Wikipedia
A succinct and useful definition… and extremely applicable in leadership skills training – working with a large corporate who did not want to lose a key worker they could not work out how to keep him. He was never incentivized by finance and did not buy into corporate identity but was a vital element of the companies growing strategy. He commented that he would have stayed if the head of services had just once remembered his name… he didn’t want praise or money or anything special , just to be treated as if he existed as a person… pity the HOS had not come on your training!