Comments on: Two Voices-Humility and the Effective Leader http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/ Ideas and approaches in business performance excellence. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:23:32 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Connie Gonzalez http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13911 Connie Gonzalez Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:14:29 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13911 For many years the corporate community has engaged in annual self-appraisals that recognize our strengths and weaknesses building on our strengths and educating to over-come our weaknesses. We have labeled our "Subject Matter Experts" as leaders and placed them on pedestals with expectations that they will be able to set the pace for the future. Our SME's tend to be more aggressive and more likely promoted to higher positions, evolving into our leaders though not necessarily change advocates for change may create an imbalance in the SME’s effectiveness. Humility is recognized in the revered knight in shining armor who sacrifices much to protect and serve. Yes, they are our best and most admired leaders but do we actually see this characteristic in our corporate leaders? Unfortunately humility is not often revealed until a mistake occurs or at the end of a long, drawn out proven point. Our quiet thinkers are often over-looked and disregarded as “tedious” or “not on board” with the quick fix, aggressive leadership we have cultivated. For many years the corporate community has engaged in annual self-appraisals that recognize our strengths and weaknesses building on our strengths and educating to over-come our weaknesses. We have labeled our “Subject Matter Experts” as leaders and placed them on pedestals with expectations that they will be able to set the pace for the future. Our SME’s tend to be more aggressive and more likely promoted to higher positions, evolving into our leaders though not necessarily change advocates for change may create an imbalance in the SME’s effectiveness. Humility is recognized in the revered knight in shining armor who sacrifices much to protect and serve. Yes, they are our best and most admired leaders but do we actually see this characteristic in our corporate leaders? Unfortunately humility is not often revealed until a mistake occurs or at the end of a long, drawn out proven point. Our quiet thinkers are often over-looked and disregarded as “tedious” or “not on board” with the quick fix, aggressive leadership we have cultivated.

]]> By: Zac Rogers http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13647 Zac Rogers Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:56:29 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13647 Art, This is a great insight! Working for a continually humble leader with an open mind is something I would love to get to do in my career. However, it seems to me that most often leaders get less humble the longer they are in power. Perhaps the idea of being "the king" has gone to their heads, or perhaps they have just grown more and more sure in their own methods over time (likely due to positive experience). According to this post, a leader like that would be less effective than a humble leader. But isn't it true that in order for one to be a leader for a long period of time one must also be successful? Why is it that long tenured leaders (who be definition must be successful) are often the least humble? Does this suggest that leaders who lack humility may be as successful as their more humble counterparts? Art,
This is a great insight! Working for a continually humble leader with an open mind is something I would love to get to do in my career.
However, it seems to me that most often leaders get less humble the longer they are in power. Perhaps the idea of being “the king” has gone to their heads, or perhaps they have just grown more and more sure in their own methods over time (likely due to positive experience). According to this post, a leader like that would be less effective than a humble leader. But isn’t it true that in order for one to be a leader for a long period of time one must also be successful? Why is it that long tenured leaders (who be definition must be successful) are often the least humble? Does this suggest that leaders who lack humility may be as successful as their more humble counterparts?

]]> By: Mark D. Cohen http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13631 Mark D. Cohen Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:04:23 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13631 Art and Mary Jo, Great article and great points. I would submit that in today's business world, the only way for a leader to truly be succeed is to be humble, give their workforce every tool that they need to suceed based on their tasks and abilities and get out of the way. Workers will actually respect their boss more than if the boss is constantly browbeating them and micromanaging. Workers will also enjoy their jobs more. This is the key to optimal production: employees' satisfaction with their job. In addition, I would say that while learning is important for workers to succeed, it is even more important for leaders. Leaders must set the agenda, goals, tone, and example for what they expect from their employees. They must then impart and apply this knowledge to their work force. Since the tone comes from leaders, it is most important that they must be able to learn. Their inclination to believe that they are the smartest people in the room must give way to humility to inspire their work force to the best results. -Mark Art and Mary Jo,

Great article and great points. I would submit that in today’s business world, the only way for a leader to truly be succeed is to be humble, give their workforce every tool that they need to suceed based on their tasks and abilities and get out of the way. Workers will actually respect their boss more than if the boss is constantly browbeating them and micromanaging. Workers will also enjoy their jobs more. This is the key to optimal production: employees’ satisfaction with their job.

In addition, I would say that while learning is important for workers to succeed, it is even more important for leaders. Leaders must set the agenda, goals, tone, and example for what they expect from their employees. They must then impart and apply this knowledge to their work force. Since the tone comes from leaders, it is most important that they must be able to learn. Their inclination to believe that they are the smartest people in the room must give way to humility to inspire their work force to the best results.

-Mark

]]> By: Ross Bentley http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13601 Ross Bentley Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:01:17 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13601 Great post, Art and Mary Jo! It seems that the leaders that get all the attention are the ones that are overly-charismatic and perhaps not humble. I don't want to simply blame the media, but it is true that a story about an aggressive, in-your-face, egotistical leader is more interesting (and sells more books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) than one about a more humble leader. It's easy to believe that humble and success don't go together if you simply follow the leaders that get all the attention, but you two point out that's not necessarily the case. Thank you for that! Great post, Art and Mary Jo!

It seems that the leaders that get all the attention are the ones that are overly-charismatic and perhaps not humble. I don’t want to simply blame the media, but it is true that a story about an aggressive, in-your-face, egotistical leader is more interesting (and sells more books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) than one about a more humble leader. It’s easy to believe that humble and success don’t go together if you simply follow the leaders that get all the attention, but you two point out that’s not necessarily the case. Thank you for that!

]]> By: george http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13600 george Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:55:40 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13600 Art, great post. It also seems to be the case that when someone speaks of a leader that they have great respect for, they always open with "he or she is so down to earth." Humility goes a long way, and it is something that everyone notices and appreciates. Art, great post. It also seems to be the case that when someone speaks of a leader that they have great respect for, they always open with “he or she is so down to earth.” Humility goes a long way, and it is something that everyone notices and appreciates.

]]> By: Siraj Malik http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13594 Siraj Malik Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:59:58 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13594 Hi Art, Nice post on this topic of humble leaders. I enjoyed getting yours and Mary Jo's points of view. You guys both made excellent points. I liked Mary Jo's thoughts on how to know when you've crossed the line into arrogance and I think you presented some really good analogies with the martial arts instructor as well as the “walk softly and carry a big stick” quote. I think this is a real important topic for leaders to understand, because humble leaders are the ones that are most respected within organizations, they are the people that someone like myself wants to work for. The thing that interests me is if it’s better to start more confident and borderline arrogant and work down into a humble role, or whether it is better to start off humble and build confidence. I wonder this since I myself have at times struggled with confidence and know that building confidence can be difficult. Thanks for the good read on this! Hi Art,

Nice post on this topic of humble leaders. I enjoyed getting yours and Mary Jo’s points of view. You guys both made excellent points. I liked Mary Jo’s thoughts on how to know when you’ve crossed the line into arrogance and I think you presented some really good analogies with the martial arts instructor as well as the “walk softly and carry a big stick” quote. I think this is a real important topic for leaders to understand, because humble leaders are the ones that are most respected within organizations, they are the people that someone like myself wants to work for. The thing that interests me is if it’s better to start more confident and borderline arrogant and work down into a humble role, or whether it is better to start off humble and build confidence. I wonder this since I myself have at times struggled with confidence and know that building confidence can be difficult. Thanks for the good read on this!

]]> By: Wally Bock http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13593 Wally Bock Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:47:49 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13593 I love this post, but I find discussions of "humility" to be troublesome. In this discussion we've contrasted humility and arrogance, which makes it a kind of interpersonal behavior. But in the spiritual disciplines, humility is defined as "submissiveness," making it a mental construct. When Benjamin Franklin worked to develop the virtue of "humility," he struggled to find a phrase that would guide him. He finally settled on" "Imitate Jesus and Socrates." I love this post, but I find discussions of “humility” to be troublesome. In this discussion we’ve contrasted humility and arrogance, which makes it a kind of interpersonal behavior. But in the spiritual disciplines, humility is defined as “submissiveness,” making it a mental construct.

When Benjamin Franklin worked to develop the virtue of “humility,” he struggled to find a phrase that would guide him. He finally settled on” “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

]]> By: Zachary Vernal http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13592 Zachary Vernal Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:44:41 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13592 Art; I fully agree with your opinion of leaders needing to be humble. Leaders who live with a high degree of humility are selfless. Not only that, but they are people you as an employee can feel comfortable around. They are people you feel comfortable around and won’t be intimidated to share your opinion to. Leaders who get too caught up in their own power and self image lose sight of what is really important, and that is setting a good example for those employees you are expected to lead. When you are a leader who lacks humility, employees almost view you as alien. You are viewed as someone who it is hard to communicate with; you don’t much about and are impossible to relate to. Bottom Line: leaders who lack humility are impossible to relate to and are useless within the work place. Until next time, have a good one Art! Art;

I fully agree with your opinion of leaders needing to be humble. Leaders who live with a high degree of humility are selfless. Not only that, but they are people you as an employee can feel comfortable around. They are people you feel comfortable around and won’t be intimidated to share your opinion to. Leaders who get too caught up in their own power and self image lose sight of what is really important, and that is setting a good example for those employees you are expected to lead. When you are a leader who lacks humility, employees almost view you as alien. You are viewed as someone who it is hard to communicate with; you don’t much about and are impossible to relate to. Bottom Line: leaders who lack humility are impossible to relate to and are useless within the work place.

Until next time, have a good one Art!

]]> By: Art Petty http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13561 Art Petty Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:47:46 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13561 Cecelia, very wise thoughts. It truly does take a conscious decision to remain humble. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Debbie, thanks for reading and sharing your agreement! -Art Cecelia, very wise thoughts. It truly does take a conscious decision to remain humble. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

Debbie, thanks for reading and sharing your agreement!

-Art

]]> By: Cecelia Ghezzi http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13523 Cecelia Ghezzi Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:01:35 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13523 Hi Art-- I full-heartedly agree with your view on humble leaders, because their followers, or, employees, will respect them much more if they are relatable and down to earth. More times than not, it has been my experience that leaders who are riding on their high horse tend NOT to get the respect that quiet leaders do who "carry big sticks." As my parents always told me, those who talk more, and are more agressive with their opinions, etc. tend not to be as knowledgable, confident or educated. (A squacking bird that won't be quiet always came to mind for some reason). I do see, however, when one is in a position of power or leadership, being humble is a conscience desision that requires work in itself. Hi Art– I full-heartedly agree with your view on humble leaders, because their followers, or, employees, will respect them much more if they are relatable and down to earth. More times than not, it has been my experience that leaders who are riding on their high horse tend NOT to get the respect that quiet leaders do who “carry big sticks.” As my parents always told me, those who talk more, and are more agressive with their opinions, etc. tend not to be as knowledgable, confident or educated. (A squacking bird that won’t be quiet always came to mind for some reason). I do see, however, when one is in a position of power or leadership, being humble is a conscience desision that requires work in itself.

]]> By: Debbie Brown http://artpetty.com/2009/10/28/two-voices-humility-and-the-effective-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-13426 Debbie Brown Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:23 +0000 http://artpetty.com/?p=2809#comment-13426 Art, excellent post. I agree that being grounded and humble is a very important aspect of being to relate to your followers as a leader. Art, excellent post. I agree that being grounded and humble is a very important aspect of being to relate to your followers as a leader.

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