Morning Leadership: Servant Leadership by Kara Bramblett
That's what I'm going through. We're looking at Characteristic Number Six: Humility. Hey, this is Brad. Thanks for joining me.
Humility is not about thinking less of yourself; it's about thinking of yourself less. Okay, there's a mouthful there, so chew on that one. It takes a strong person to act in humility and an even stronger leader to know one's weaknesses. Okay, acting with humility is the foundation of respect between the leader and the follower. Okay, and it's the foundation of effective leadership. It truly is.
Humility is an acknowledgement of your weakness. However, you've got to be able to look honestly in the mirror and recognize your shortcomings, and this, of course, requires some self-awareness. Okay, we've got to be clear first though: humility is not a sign of weakness or permissiveness. Okay, and it's not over- or undervaluing one's worth, right? Humility doesn't equate to low self-esteem or self-defeating behavior either. And lastly, it's not an avenue for self-degeneration. So that's not worth talking about.
Humility is the simple act of being a humble leader. Okay, it's letting go of your ego and putting others' needs before your own. Okay, it's taking the higher road and completing actions for the greater good instead of for personal gain. Okay, it's the venue of effective leadership. Really, without effective leadership, you'll turn around and have no one to lead. And as John Maxwell said humorously about this, "If you think you're leading and no one is following, you're just taking a long walk." And we don't want to be doing that, right?
So I'm gonna take issue with some things said here—just slightly. But some leaders (quote-unquote) take a lack of humility through indifference to team members' feelings, irritability, and temper. Now, these "leaders" often make quick, hasty judgments and speak with sharp tongues, and that's kind of rooted in pride—a sign of weak leadership. And I'd argue that these types—you know, they may be "leaders," but they're only Level One. They lead because of their position. They're leaders, and we've been around them, right? They don't really understand true leadership, let alone servant leadership.
So humility leverages your skills of empathy to understand the needs and emotional positions of your team. Empathy and listening are two key characteristics here. And so we noted before: humility is one of the building blocks of servant leadership, and that's what we're talking about here. Servant leaders are humble, and they shift the focus to their team. Okay? The leader is humbled by the cause to serve or the ability to lead, and it's connecting with individuals to guide them on a journey—whatever that may be. And I'm truly humbled, really, to present this weekly series as a way to promote effective servant leadership and bring it to prominence. Guys, we need it.
One of the greatest benefits of humility is developing the genuine trust of the team.
Trust in leadership really is fragile, and it's got to be held in the highest regard—and that's easier said than done, I know. And that's why humility keeps it in check.
So here's a quick recap for today:
Acting with humility is transitioning from selfish to team-driven leadership.
Humility is about letting go of your ego and embracing the privilege to serve as a leader of your team.
And lastly, humility is the way you develop trust with your team, and it's a way you're being authentic—which is crucial too.
So thanks so much for joining me today, guys. Please hit the subscribe button if this message impacted you or if it added value to you in any way. I certainly hope it did. And you can also connect with me on social media at the links that I've provided.
So join me next week as we talk a little bit more about servant leadership. We're gonna be looking at Characteristic Number Seven: Trust. And trust me, that's a big one. So be a leader, influence others, have a great week. Bye-bye!