In a business organization, it’s easy to be drawn to charismatic or strong personality types for the obvious reasons. But what about humility?
I’m talking about people who do their job day in and day out, hoping for respect, but not expecting the spotlight. Those who are eager to appreciate others’ strengths, focusing on bettering the team. These individuals have a pretty good idea of what makes them tick, and fly under the radar in different ways. They are willing to accept critical suggestions to improve, and they admit mistakes, which is huge in my book.
I see humility as a key ingredient in the best leaders.
Beyond the age-old test of whether someone writes a thank you note–print or email–I think a good test for humility starts with the receptionist. How did they interact with him or her?
Once hired, these folks sometimes coast under the shadow of their team, but can be the secret to a company’s success. When humble individuals are at the top of an organization, they let team leaders do what they do best, and everyone is better for it.