One way to exhibit humility and move away from the trap of self-oriented leadership is to focus on what people can become. This requires shifting away from criticizing how staff members are doing to celebrating how far they have come in improving their performance. If this concept seems hard to grasp, just apply it to yourself and think about what motivates you to do better—a tongue lashing or a pat on the back?
Let this sink deeply into your grid as you consider how to relate to subordinates. Work very hard at praising progress instead of emphasizing error.
Photo credit: Phil Roeder, Creative Commons
Every human being has greatness inside. There are no exceptions. Humble leaders look for and honor this greatness in people. They see people as able to grow and contribute. They see people for what they can become.
Every year the NFL draft illustrates this principle. Scouts compile detailed reports on college football players for teams and coaches. Film is run and rerun. Players are tested for physical, mental, and emotional strength. Then, on draft day choices are made. In the first round or two, the can’t miss stars are picked. What’s really interesting, though, are the picks made in later rounds.
Bart Starr, former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, was a second-stringer in college. The Packers, seeing something in Starr that others had missed, picked him very late in the draft. Under legendary coach Vince Lombardi, Starr later led the Packers to five world championships. He was the starting quarterback in the first two Super Bowls. Long before anyone else believed in Starr’s ability, Lombardi saw his potential greatness.
The scouting report on another NFL player included the following:
- Poor Build – Very skinny and narrow
- Lacks physical stature and strength
- Can’t drive the ball down the filed
- Slow to react
- Picked 199th in the NFL draft
The one good quality noted in the scouting report? Good decision making! That player is Tom Brady, destined for the Football Hall of Fame.
Humble leaders look for the potential in others and do everything they can to develop it. Have you ever tried to drive your car with the parking brake on? There the Porsche sits, engine revving, but it is not able to peel away at full speed. That is exactly what happens when leaders do not develop the potential of other people. They forget to release the brake.
Have you discovered that one quality that brings out the Hall of Fame quality in a person? Share some stories with us.