The world’s most successful leaders aren’t arrogant, and they don’t assume they know it all. Find out why humility is one of the most important characteristics of a great leader.

1. WHY HUMILITY IS AN IMPORTANT
LEADERSHIP QUALITY

2. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
The world’s most successful leaders aren’t arrogant, and they don’t assume
they know it all. Find out why humility is one of the most important
characteristics of a great leader.
WHY HUMILITY IS AN IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP
QUALITY

3. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
When you think about the qualities of a great leader, “humility” might not immediately spring to mind.
But as it turns out, humility is a particularly critical skill for leaders.
Angela Sebaly, the author of “The Courageous Leader” and co-founder and CEO of Personify Leadership,
says humble leaders are focused on the bigger picture of their organization and their team – rather than
on themselves.
“Humility is about minimizing the self and maximizing the bigger purpose you represent,” Sebaly says.
“When you think about humility in that way, it becomes a vital competency in leadership because it takes
the focus from the ‘I’ to ‘We.’ Leaders with humility engage us and give us a sense of identity and
purpose.”
Let’s explore what humility is and talk about some practical ways you can cultivate more of this
important leadership quality.

4. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Humility – the belief that you don’t have all the answers and aren’t the smartest person in every
room – is the opposite of arrogance. It's all about embracing your own strengths and weaknesses
and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the people around you.
Humble leaders constantly look for ways to promote others, support collaboration in teams, and
inspire trust because they consistently keep their promises and back up their words with action. By
definition, humble leaders also assume that they don’t know it all, ensuring a model of lifelong
learning and listening that keeps them teachable and flexible.
In fact, a survey of computer product firms in the Journal of Management showed that when an
organization has humble leaders, it results in better collaboration and higher-performing teams.
WHAT IS HUMILITY?

5. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
1. Encourage people to speak up. Respect the natural differences of opinions that come from
within your team, and work toward championing the best ideas, regardless of whether they come
from an individual contributor or a C-Suite executive.
2. When your team succeeds, recognize the contribution of others. Humble leaders credit their
team members before taking recognition themselves.
3. Admit your mistakes. Don’t blame others when things go wrong. Figure out what went awry
and take responsibility, so you can hold yourself accountable and make changes going forward.
Additionally, don’t shame your employees when they make mistakes.
7 WAYS TO CULTIVATE HUMILITY AS A LEADER

6. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
4. Be willing to accept constructive feedback. Humble leaders recognize that they are a work in
progress. To cultivate humility, be open to honest feedback, and demonstrate thoughtful responses.
5. Become an active listener. Humble people listen intently and are genuinely interested in learning
from others. Put down your phone when other people are talking, listen without judgment, ask
up questions, and avoid the temptation to interrupt.
6. Remain open to other people’s opinions, insights, and ideas. For example, if you’re running a
meeting, let others weigh in on a question or issue before you state your ideas.
7. Become a lifelong learner. There’s always more to learn, and humble leaders recognize that they
don’t know it all. Your skills will always need refreshing, so build a culture of lifelong learning and
for training and development opportunities throughout your organization.

7. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Want to learn more about the qualities of great leaders in today’s workforce?
Subscribe to my newsletter and check out my new book, Future Skills: The 20
Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World.

8. © 2021 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker,
futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and
companies. He helps organisations improve their business performance, use data
more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as
artificial intelligence, big data, blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is
a frequent contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for
Forbes. Every day Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers
and shares content that reaches millions of readers.

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