With every tumble....get HUMBLE !!!

Humility is often referred to as one of the most significant attribute of a great leader. In his book good to great, Jim Collins speaks about “humility “ along with “professional will” as key attributes a person must possess to be a level 5 leader. A great leader to be precise.

With the above backdrop lets see why we seem to like humble people or rather want people with humility to be our leaders. Then humility is a matter of perception. Humility is often confused to being quiet, silent, politically correct etc. Humility in my opinion has different behavior expectations in different situations. Humility is what it takes to stand up and speak, at the same time, humility is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

Humble people are fiercely competitive; yet respect their opponents for what they are and what they have. They differentiate lucidly between sport and life. They know how to separate issue from personality. They consistently learn and perform the art of balancing. They are principle centered. All of us are subjected to different challenges in different phases of life.

“The quantum of trial” varies from time to time. The quality of humility helps leader prevail over the trial each time and emerge stronger than ever before.

Today humility is a frequently used terminology in public life, especially in politics and very commonly used in corporate world as well. Most of the time it is referred as an antonym to “arrogance”. It’s a label to judge people”. Mostly we find “humility” associated with people who are quiet, introverted and harmless. As perceived. It’s not necessarily true. Humility today has become a kind of mask, which people use for manipulation or create a space for manipulation. In all walks of life.

Humility by truth is an outcome of constant trial, which an individual undergoes on an ongoing basis. Each time, the response he or she makes based on convictions and principles without being coerced by any external or internal stimuli whatsoever or by virtue of any emotion including fear. It’s a display of consistent integrity wherein one walks the talk.

Pride is opposite to humility. Humility is when you know you have the power, yet you don’t invoke it and show character to go an extra mile to protect interest of all involved. Particularly the weak.

Lets look at some interesting paradigm. Today, when a politician wants to go on fast, he musters large number of people using all his machinery, power etc. Years back, when Gandhi wanted to strike, He said “I am going on fast” and the whole nation followed him. Humble people lead by example. They have grace and charisma that reflects their character. They carry themselves well. Similarly in sports, when Sachin drives the ball or when Federer punches a strong forearm stroke, they display grace alongside power and perfection. Even opponents admire and adore them. That’s humility in action.

Mother Theresa remains as an epitome of humility through her service to mankind. Jesus through his teachings of love and forgiveness had a universal acceptance of his humble leadership even today. When a coward terrorist act burnt her family alive in north India, Mrs Staines displayed remarkable humility in forgiving the people who were involved and continued with the mission, which her husband had started. Humility is all about principles and hence stands the test of time.

Humility is to be unfazed by personal tragedies and stay firm on course for the larger purpose one gets chosen for. The choice and purpose depends on each individual and their evolution.

To display humility is an opportunity one gets all the time in different role we play. Be it a parent, child, citizen, leader, steward, friend, relative, employee and soon. We get our chances to act. With all equity and fairness. Then it’s a matter of choice based on principles and values we have imbibed within us that determines our action for every situation we encounter. It’s the choice we make with courage, irrespective of the situation, people or pressure we are faced with earns us the characteristics of being a humble person. Its is not a default tag one gets. One has to keep earning it and work for it. All the time.

Humble people don’t make excuses. They build bridges for themselves and for people around them. They stand out.

Humility hence is all about strength. Weak people cannot be humble.Humility hence is sign of strength NOT weakness…

To be aware of the evolution and change in you and around you would be the key …. to begin with.