Are you humble? Is it a leadership trait?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:32:05 -0500

I guess for myself that question is nuanced. Just lost a dear friend to Leukemia. A person who gave me confidence as a veteran and led me to be an excellent observer and forecaster. I had the favor of most every one I met in that field and was dwarfed by their education and that included observers.

So for me, I benefited and was at times proud. But when recognition came, I kind of shied away. So how does humility play? Are we effective leaders or just ambitious studies climbing the ladder?

My friend that I lost was the best forecaster that I ever saw and when he got out he trained observers and I know he was good, along with his TV and radio experience. He probably had a huge ego and was larger than life. His phone recording still haunts me, because he led by example. He was a great man and I am a benefactor of that skill.

Has anyone have a mentor such as that? What type of leader are you?

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Dec 27 at 2014 8:35 PM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:35:08 -0500

Just want to say that I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 8:38 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:38:11 -0500

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your mentor and friend.

I think humility is an important part of being a leader. First of all, when "doing" servant leadership (and thinking of one's subordinates before oneself), it's almost required. And when the accolades come, it's classy to accept them with humility (in my humble opinion).

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 27 at 2014 8:44 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:44:02 -0500

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member Sorry about the loss of friend/mentor.

The successes of my troops/unit have been what has driven my success. We do very little that is 100% our own. Largely a team effort.

I have been blessed to be surrounded by great folks.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 27 at 2014 11:25 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:25:15 -0500

Sorry for your loss.

I don't believe that a healthy ego and a sense of humility are mutually exclusive.

All leaders must possess some sense of ego; not in a pompous or arrogant way, but in the way that supports one's best efforts towards accomplishment of a task. Ego feeds one's sense of confidence, and re-enforces the notion that obstacles can be overcome, and goals can be reached. It instills drive and determination. It also prevents the leader from being swayed by popular opinion, and helps one maintain one's course when others without vision or fortitude say otherwise. The strongest leaders I know all had healthy egos.

That said, the strongest leaders for whom I have ever worked were also the most humble; most focused on servant leadership; most secure in themselves and their COAs; and most committed to the health, wellbeing and success of their subordinates. The strongest leaders are those who have such a well defined sense of self, that they feel no need to boast. They simply focus on what needs to be done to empower those in their sphere of influence to do well. True humility comes from a quiet confidence and strength of character that allows the leader to focus on the led.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2014 11:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:25:58 -0500

SSgt L OI, I appreciate your grieving for a friend. I have done that also. That is the respect we owe them for the friendship they extended us. Grieving, remembering and sharing their graces with others until we too, pass on is all we can do. Chuck

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 10 at 2015 10:31 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:31:02 -0400

I try to be. It's one of the qualities called for by God. "I am a speck of dust."
A good leader is definitely humble.
I believe that it is part of being selfless.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 11:41 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:41:18 -0400

Sorry for your loss. A fine mentor will never be replaced. Use the guidance and wisdom he passed on to you as a gift, and it is your mission to pass it on to the one who you mentor. Kind of a pay it forward thing. Good luck and keep doing the right thing. Semper Fidelis

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 12 at 2015 9:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:39:43 -0400

Being humble is a personal azimuth which will point you in the right direction.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 3:48 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:48:11 -0400

Steps for Success
Dan Coberly
Condensed from “Positive Public Affairs” c 1999
“The Greatest Leader I Never Knew” American Traveller c 1991

• Honesty is non-negotiable. Character counts. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

• Be culturally aware. Seek first to understand. Effective leaders learn why people think and act as they do. Become a member of the crew, not the baggage train.

• Be situationally aware. Don’t confuse true leadership with a generic leadership role or title. The toughest view is the one near to you, altered by people and events.

• Shape fate. Lead by taking and inculcating a culture of responsibility for actions and inactions. Inspire others to exceed minimum standards. Find out what needs to be done and do it. Mentor and grow experts via opportunities.

• Know thy people. know thyself. Offer everyone a place at your table. Represent your people well and they will well represent you. Know and use the resources of your team matching skills to mission. Look in the mirror. Pull others up, don’t push them down. Disagree without disrespect.

• Be an Innovator. People adapt best to what they know best. Find ways to work smarter, not harder. Caretaker majorities may rule; Innovators and Undertakers affect outcomes. Innovators are responsible for 99.9% of all positive change. Take risks without being a loose cannon

• Constantly communicate. Share information, not just vision. Close the loop, vertically & horizontally. An action isn’t complete until you coordinate with anyone remotely affected by the action...or inaction. The outcome affects your image.

• Be objective. People are tribal, it’s in our DNA. Help tribes to form a nation. Act on facts, not opinions. Beware of agendas. Pass on your own bias or it will lead you to be unfair. Be firm but fair. Ensure justice, rewards. Effective leaders do not lack will, nor must they often impose will. Focus your kick-to pat ratio on pats so your kicks can be effective.

• Become trusted by trusting others. Mutual trust is the backbone of all good relationships. Trust creates full partners. Your position is a trust, on loan from others. Know when to lead, when to follow.

• Shun the perks. Real leaders unselfishly serve others. They do not expect to be served. Promotions are not for what you have done, but for what you are expected to do.

• Team Spirit trumps corporate politics.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 14 at 2015 11:57 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:57:57 -0400

One can be humble but with a lot of confidence. This is probably my 4th post on here, as I forget a lot.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 12:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:09:14 -0400

First off, sorry for your loss. I believe that true leadership is humble. I've always believe that, as an officer, Soldiers don't work for me, I work for my Soldiers. When something goes poorly, it's my fault and responsibility and the a** chewing is all mine. When something goes well, it's their fault and all the accolades belong to them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 18 at 2015 8:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:04:06 -0400

I was humble because I knew that other leaders knew more than I did, and taking care of the troops is a huge responsibility.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 19 at 2015 9:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 21:52:25 -0400

I have lost enough wrestling and soccer matches, football games and won as well that I should be humble in defeat and victory.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 27 at 2015 12:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:35:58 -0400

My Armor BN CO was my mentor for life. He showed me to recognize the soldiers who supported the tankers in innovative ways. He also got me out of a couple jams. I had no desire to be not humble. I was a commander and that was it, and I was not God's gift to the army, just a servant of the army. It was not about me, and it never was.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 29 at 2015 3:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 15:15:18 -0400

Like life, the more rank I attained the more humble I became.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 29 at 2015 8:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 20:22:37 -0400

I was a badass tanker until they gave me a desk job :)