What is humility anyway?
What?
Humility can be a tricky concept, meaning different things to different people. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary says it means “freedom from pride or arrogance.[1]” However, the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “having a lowly opinion of oneself.[2]” That’s not exactly the same thing. The authors of Humble Leadership treat humility from a bit narrower perspective. Schein and Schein zero in on “situational humility” as characterized by:
- accepting uncertainty, while remaining curious to find out what is really going on,
- being open, intentionally and mindfully, to what others may know or observe, and
- recognizing when unconscious biases can distort perceptions and trigger emotional responses.[3]
This “hallmark mindset” is to be paired with the humble leader’s “ability to leverage Level 2 relationships[4]” meaning warm, authentic relationships that don’t overstep professional boundaries. Applying these two principles, say Schein and Schein, will lead to open flow of information and more effective innovation within any organization.[5]
What?!
I find it interesting that the concept of humble leadership is being treated like a ground-breaking concept. I’m not only talking about this book by Schein and Schein. According to an article that appeared in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, “Recent academic research has proliferated around the construct of humble leadership.”[6] But our Christian worldview has underscored the importance of humility since the beginning. The following verses are only a few of the many examples I could choose from:
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Proverbs 11:2 ESV
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
James 4:10 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Philippians 2:3 ESV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Of course, let’s not forget our model in all things, Jesus, was the ultimate example of humble leadership. Abraham Cho puts it beautifully when he says, “To save the world, [Jesus] chose to embrace the humble circumstances of a manger, a carpenter’s bench, a subjected and defeated people. He became the man of sorrows, familiar with affliction, the one who had nowhere to lay his head. He chose to keep company with those of no account—you and me—even to the point of dying the humiliating death that was reserved only for the lowest of the low.”[7] So to us as Christians, humble leadership should be part of our DNA. It should come as no surprise to us that humble leadership is effective, because as God’s creations humans respond positively to the way he designed us to be.
How?
I’ll admit that as I read this book, much of it seemed relevant only to leaders in large, corporate organizations. But as I dug a little deeper, I began thinking about the non-profit that I envision starting in the next year or so. While that will never be a corporate endeavor, it will certainly require a “Humble Leadership” attitude, so I began to take note of a few lessons to remember for the future.
I was especially intrigued by the discussion of culture within an organization. What are the values that an organization devoted to educating parents should espouse? A cursory brainstorm came up with the following:
- Nonjudgmental/curious
- Hopeful/believing in change
- Supportive/celebrating small steps forward
- Compassionate
I’m curious to take a quick poll: Would those have been your responses? What values would you prioritize in this type of ministry?
Going a step farther, Schein and Schein also challenge leaders to leverage wider cultural trends happening all around us. In reference to these “meta culture trends” they ask, “What trends excite you, and which ones worry you?”[8] This was an easier question to answer. I’m excited by the emphasis I see on things like emotional intelligence and coaching. These are both cornerstones in the parenting framework that I teach, so they feel like a natural part of any organization I would create.
It is both inspiring and intimidating to dream about what this non-profit for parenting education could look like. Admittedly, building an organization from the ground up is far beyond my current experience, so I can’t quite envision the whole process. Just as I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by all the knowledge I lack, I realize there is a close parallel here to the parenting journey. No new parent really knows what they are getting into nor how to actually do it well. We all learn on the job. Parenting is all about “finding new and better solutions” to everyday problems and absolutely requires “fast adaptations and innovations.”[9] Rationally or irrationally, this thought reassures me immensely. I recognize that I have so much to learn, and yet I can draw on the principles that I have been applying for years and teaching others to apply in their own families.
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humility
[2] https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=humility
[3] Schein, Edgar H., and Peter A. Schein. Humble Leadership: The Powers of Relationships, Openness, and Trust. First edition. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2018. 8.
[4] Ibid., 73.
[5] Ibid., 125.
[6] Thomas K. Kelemen, Samuel H. Matthews, Michael J. Matthews, Sarah E. Henry, “Humble leadership: A review and synthesis of leader expressed humility,” Journal of Organizational Behavior, Vol 44, Issue 2, (February 6, 2022) : https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2608.
[7] Abraham Cho, “The Outward Look and Feel of Humility.” Redeemer City to City: February 7, 2024. https://redeemercitytocity.com/articles-stories/the-outward-look-and-feel-of-humility
[8] Schein, Edgar H., and Peter A. Schein. Humble Leadership: The Powers of Relationships, Openness, and Trust. First edition. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2018.124.
[9] Ibid., 7.
About the Author
Kim Sanford
7 responses to “What is humility anyway?”
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Hi Kim,
Yes this is not new. Jesus the ultimate Servant Leader demonstrated and lived humility. He calls us to do the same.
Still it is hard to emulate Jesus all the time. (Although we keep trying!) and I would tell you that the collaborative/polycentric/team leadership models are the wave of the future in 1st world Environments. I say this because
Level Minus 1 leaders, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and the USA (without naming names) have leaders wo are dominating the global stage. Autocrats abound in the world.
Still for your non profit (and mine), this team leaders/humble/servant leadership will guide us pass the rocky obstacles of our global future.
Shalom
Yes, Russ, you have great experience in leading a non-profit. I would love to pick your brain. Do you have any resources/books to recommend to get me started? One of my initial challenges is going to be building an organization with essentially all volunteers and little to no paid staff. (This topic has been on my “if I had more time” list for a few semesters now, but if you have any thoughts I would be happy to hear them.)
Hi Kim,
When I think about GoodSports International, the methodology in Slovakia (28 years) and Hungary (26) years represent a long history of trial and error!
Both programs follow the precept “Love God, Love Kids and when necessary use sports.” Baseball, Floorball and self defense training in Slovakia. With Obstacle Course Racing and 8 orphanage ministries in Hungary.
We do what works and for Ukraine and Kenya, the circumstances shape the growth of GSI. Since our focus is discipleship we look for activities that allow relationships to flourish.
One of the things I personally have enjoyed doing is finding what God is doing in a place. This tracks with Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God.”
From the spooky but quick ChatGPT.
In Experiencing God, Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King teach that God often communicates with people through circumstances that occur after prayer conversations.
Blackaby suggests that people can take note of these circumstances to help them understand how God is working in their lives.
Here are some ideas from Experiencing God about how God communicates through circumstances:
God’s love relationship: God wants to have a personal, ongoing love relationship with people.
God’s invitation: God invites people to join Him in His work.
God’s revelation: God reveals Himself through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church.
God’s guidance: God often provides direction in life or answers to prayers through circumstances that follow prayer conversations.
God’s will: God’s will is revealed through personal, private revelation from God.
Ahhh…circumstances…When God presents me with a door, I usually walk through it (Ukraine and Kenya). At this point I am 50/50. Sometimes the doors I walk through were of my own power, and those usually fail. However, those that work continue to this day.
What has emerged in Hungary is a team leadership format, with 8 orphanages and then the OCR coach working independently. Their budgets are submitted yearly and the central “leader” allocates funds. His primary role is spiritual accountability, allowing each regional/director to create those activities that suit his/her (usually couples) strengths and weaknesses.
That’s all I got.
Shalom
Hi Kim,
I enjoyed your post and how you’re thinking about your non-profit. So inspiring! I realized the book never gave a very clear definition of humility, but more of what humility looks like in work relationships. But I found their three points on situational humility applicable in cross-cultural situations.
I laughed when I read the Oxford English Dictionary definition for humility as “having a lowly opinion of oneself.” I don’t think that has anything to do with humility and likely produces the exact opposite. How is humility defined or conceptualized in France? I’ve been reconsidering my conceptualization of humility in my Asian context and wonder if it is experienced more as a social construct.
I haven’t come up with my best definition for humility yet. Maybe it has more to do with seeing and welcoming the humanity in us all and giving more grace, My husband gave me this definition (he got it from someone else). Humility is being willing to be known for who you really are. Maybe humility is being undefended and accepting all of one’s self and doing the same for others.
You ask a really good question about humility in France. I would say in the secular population humility is not valued; French people will be the first to say they are a very proud people, even arrogant. And they wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing, just a fact. However in the church, of course, we know that humility is a Kingdom value. It really is one of the key ways that Christians stand out in France, I think. They value and aspire to humility, unlike their neighbors who are far from God.
Hi Kim,
I love your commentary on how humility in Christianity is a significant factor that influences many things in life.
Let me respond to what you wrote, “Admittedly, building an organization from the ground up is far beyond my current experience, so I can’t quite envision the whole process. Just as I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by all the knowledge I lack, I realize there is a close parallel here to the parenting journey. No new parent really knows what they are getting into, nor how actually to do it well. We all learn on the job. Parenting is all about “finding new and better solutions” to everyday problems and absolutely requires “fast adaptations and innovations.”
This view resonates strongly with my understanding of parenting. Although my field of interest is mostly about family, marriage and household, the daily practice in our family with children approaching adolescence who are very familiar with gadgets and the virtual world makes us have to humbly admit we have a lot to learn and gain knowledge and experience from those who have shown sweet fruit in parenting.
My question is, to what extent does the book Humble Leadership help you as a parent in carrying out your role and responsibilities?
Kim,
You shared from 2 Chronicles, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”. thank you for the reminder. Humble Leadership is not a new concept!