Three Minute Leadership: On the Joy of Humility
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
“Sometime, if we are really lucky,” writes Erica Brown, “someone will put an arm around us and remind us how unimportant we are.” Humility is one of the beautiful pillars of great leadership that provides the foundation for extraordinary being, a being that is open to other’s ideas, inviting and respectful of diverse perspectives and one that displays its vulnerability in a willingness to learn. G. K. Chesterton said: “Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great thing from the valley; only small thinks from the peak.”
In her book, Take Your Soul to Work, Brown shares a lesson from Hasidic wisdom on learning humility. The wisdom states:
“You should always carry two notes in your pockets. In one pocket, carry the words, ‘For me, the world was created.’
In the other, carry the words, “I am but dust and ashes.” Your leadership lies between these pockets of power and humility.”
On your magnificent journey, remember the gentle counsel of Ralph W. Sockman: “True humility is intelligent self-respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.” What a magnificent reminder humility gives to great leaders: “how far we have come short of what we can be.” There is so much more we have yet to discover in ourselves and those whom we serve, and humility helps to free ourselves in finding these wondrous gifts. The best is yet to come.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike
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