The fundamentals of leadership using letters of the alphabet.
By Sulaimon Olanrewaju (Culled from Punch Newspapers )
The ABC of Leadership II
H- Humility
Humility is critical to successful leadership. Hence the submission by Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, that every organization that transited from being good to becoming great was fortunate to have a leader who combined unflagging humility with unwavering professional will. Humility knocks the lid off a leader’s greatness.
Humility in leadership starts with the acknowledgement that you are just one of the many that are suitable for the role you are playing. This brings you down to earth, moderates your behaviour and perspective and puts you in a position to serve rather than lord it over others.
According to Dr. Robert Hogan, founder and president of Hogan Assessments, humility predicts effective leadership. Hogan adds that “humility is associated with minimizing status differences, listening to subordinates, soliciting input, admitting mistakes and being willing to change course when a plan seems not to work.”
Washington’s example:
While travelling at a time, George Washington, America’s first president, chanced upon some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log. But their efforts did not produce much result. Meanwhile, their leader, a corporal, was standing by watching as the men struggled. Washington asked the corporal why he did not help the soldiers in their task. The corporal replied: “I am the corporal. I give orders.”
Washington said nothing, he dismounted his horse, rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, joined the soldiers to lift the wood and, together, they were able to accomplish the task. He then faced the corporal and said, “When next your men need assistance send for the Commander-in-Chief,” and rode off. The dumbstruck corporal could not believe it was the President who joined his men to lift the log.
Humility does not take anything away from anyone.
Here are some humility checks:
Do you put others first?
Humble leaders put others first. They think less of themselves and think more of the organization and others. Their ambition is for the growth of the organization; their activities are geared towards empowering and enabling others; their thoughts are targeted at giving wings to others’ dreams. As opined by Simon Sinek, author of Leaders Eat Last, humble leaders understand that the true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above their own.
Are you willing to help even the most vulnerable?
Humble leaders are willing to offer assistance to those who are not in any position to reciprocate the gesture. They are willing to serve rather than be served. So, it does not matter who the recipient of their service is, what is critical to them is to offer service to those who require it.
Do you respect the worth of others?
A humble leader never looks down on anyone irrespective of their station in life. He makes it crystal clear all the time that he values them.
Are you open to criticisms?
A humble leader is not averse to criticism; he does not get angry or bitter when corrected, no matter where the correction is coming from. He is conscious of the fact that a leader who wants to keep developing never stops learning and learning comes from diverse quarters.