Humility?

Forget humility. Leaders are overachievers. They ride to the top of their organizations on the backs of others. When success happens, they are standing in the spotlight. Even if others are more responsible for the triumphs. Pride and ego are the most noticeable characteristics of those heading to the summit.

That’s what you’ve observed in your leaders, right?

Are these the attributes you’re trying to emulate?

Harry Truman was one of our least likely presidents. He tried and failed at many things in his lifetime. When he entered the world of politics, few saw him as credible and fewer as a person who mattered. Pushed out of the way of important work and critical negotiations, everyone assumed he would eventually go away.

But Truman didn’t go away. He also didn’t spend time telling others how great he was, or how important he was. He just worked. He learned. Each experience in his life taught him lessons, and he paid attention to those lessons. As an infantry captain in World War I he didn’t lose a single man despite finding himself in the middle of the action. His failures in business, farming, and oil speculation didn’t stall him out. He just kept going. As senator he was dismissed by others, including President Roosevelt. His persistence in learning the work and driving results consistent with his Midwest values eventually earned him the respect of many.

He rose to Vice President and ascended to the Presidency upon Roosevelt’s death. His record as President made him one of the most important figures of the twentieth century. He had risen to the very top. But there was one characteristic that set him apart from nearly every other President before or since.

Humility.

Truman was humble. He often doubted his ability even though he was smart and capable and tough. He never allowed his station in life to undermine his own view of himself as incomplete, as always in the process of becoming more complete. He was self-deprecating. He deferred to others. He let others take the stage. He played the longer game. He pushed others into the spotlight.

While it is easier to think of leaders with powerful personas and massive egos, the humble leaders are all around you too. They are they are the ones who lead teams where team success is the order of the day. Teamwork is more commonplace than individual heroics. Problems don’t find scapegoats, they attract groups of real workers who show up quickly to fix things.

Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking about yourself less. It’s thinking of others first. Looking for chances to create momentum for others. Doing it in a way that enables people around you to own great accomplishments. Creating the reflection of yourself across the lake where your influence is plain to see. It isn’t water skiing across the lake while you let go a victory yell.

Humble leaders rise to the top too. Truman is one example. There are others. Peyton Manning. Pope Francis. You.

The next time you take a step back to assess your own career trajectory as a leader, go to the other side of the lake. Look down at that lake and observe your own reflection. How do others see you?

Think and act in the service of others more each day. Think less about yourself. Think more about your impact.

When those waters have stilled and you see your clear reflection, you can call yourself a humble leader.

Great title.

Lead well.

(Please share your comments below.)

Click to visit Jim’s book page:

“The Modern Compassionate Leader – 12 Essential Characteristics of the Rising Sales Leader”

Follow Jim on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter.

© Jim Martin and www.jamesmichaelmartin.com, 2016 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jim Martin and www.jamesmichaelmartin.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.