FizzicJim

Nothing groundbreaking here. We all know humility is a key attribute for a leader.

Whenever I think about humility in a leader, I picture in my mind something I witnessed some years ago.

After a meeting in a satellite building of our organisation, I stayed back in the boardroom and was looking out towards the service road running in front of the building. Still vivid in my mind’s eye is the sight of the organisation’s CEO walking along the unfinished roadside to his vehicle.

Yes, we all have to walk to our vehicles, regardless of status. What is striking here is that this CEO, unlike many, had not insisted on a prime parking spot underground or in front of the office building. He found a nearby spot, made no fuss about his status.

This has stuck with me for many years, and reminded me of what humility can look like in a leader, and corrected my own attitude and behaviour. Whilst nice to have those prime parking spots, making a fuss to get them, based on status, was not living my value of humility.

In summary, seeing leaders (and we’re all leaders) as role models to adapt our own behaviours, which build our culture, is the learning for me here.