If You Practice These Seven Habits, Your Leadership Skills Are Among the Best in the Business
With thanks to Inc. and Author, Marcel Schwantes, for this article.
This author explores the best traits of exceptional leaders and concludes they display a paradoxical mix of driving for results and personal humility. He continues to explain...
I’ve found [exceptional leaders] ... to be modest and full of integrity but with a determination to create results by shifting the focus away from themselves and continually recognizing the contributions of others.
Having witnessed such leaders in action myself over the course of 20 years as an executive coach, I have determined that these humble leaders practice seven habits:
1. They Give Others a Voice
Humble leaders are self-confident enough to allow someone else to have the glory. There is something very liberating in this strategy. For the leader, it serves as a way to empower and give people a voice; for the follower, respect and trust in the leader increases.
2. They Acknowledge Their Shortcomings
Humble leaders have healthy egos, but they don’t let their egos dictate every course of action. Moreover, they easily acknowledge when they’ve made mistakes rather than trying to hide behind the mask of denial. They speak three magical words that will produce more peace of mind and respect than a week’s worth of executive coaching with me: “I was wrong.” And three more: “You are right.”
3. They Ask for Feedback
Humble leaders seek others’ input (including their own followers) on how they are showing up in their leadership path. They might ask, “How am I doing?” It takes humility to ask such a question. And even more humility to consider the answer.
4. They Give Their People Credit
Humble leaders deflect the spotlight away from them and allow their team members to be in the spotlight. There is something very liberating for employees when they receive credit for work well done.
5. They Are Authentic
Humble leaders refuse to cut corners and don’t say things to sugarcoat, to please others, or to look good in front of their peers. They don’t betray themselves or others by using words or making decisions that are not aligned with who they are.
6. They Are Curious Learners
Humble leaders choose open-mindedness and curiosity over protecting their point of view. They gladly accept the role of learners because they know it will make them better. They know that each person has something important to teach them. They ask questions and are sincerely interested in the answers.
7. They Build a Culture of Trust and Safety
Humble leaders create an environment in which risks are taken, allowing those around them to feel safe to exercise their creativity, communicate their ideas openly, and provide input to major decisions. Because there’s trust there, not fear.
The humble leader is a clear-cut winner because they achieve results, but not at the expense of people. This relational approach opens up all kinds of possibilities. There’s clear competitive advantage in mastering humility.