Karise Hutchinson is a Professor of Leadership and the founder of Illuminaire Leadership, also known as Illuminaire Institute. Hutchinson has dedicated over 20 years to researching, teaching, consulting, and writing about leadership, with the aim to bring life and light to leaders across the globe. Illuminaire Institute uses storytelling to make complex leadership research both memorable and impactful, fostering both personal and professional growth among leaders worldwide.<\/p>\n
We are social animals\u2019 bond together looking for order in chaos. Society looks to organize itself to accomplish tasks that individuals cannot perform individually. Thus, someone inevitably ends up in charge. The evolution of leadership raised diverse types of leaders woven by several characteristics. For this assignment my focus is on trust and humility.<\/p>\n
Color of Trust<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Leaders need to be seen, they need to listen, and they must be open to being guided. Building trust requires deep personal and collective listening at all levels of an organization.[1]<\/a> In December 2024, the organization that I work for conducted an Employee Engagement Glint Survey. The organization\u2019s overall results were disappointing to the executives, particularly, \u201cTrust in Senior Leaders: I trust my senior leadership team\u2019s (officers and their direct reports) vision and directions.\u201d[2]<\/a> The score was extremely low.<\/p>\n I love the example Mike Hardy provided in this article, \u201c\u2026 a football team. You might trust the other players, but you might hate the coach, management or owners of the club. You will not be effective as a player just by getting on with the other players on the pitch. That is not enough. You need to have strong relationships with the manager and coaches too. In doing so, you trust the vision of the team. You trust the purpose of the organization.[3]<\/a> I definitely agree with Hardy, that trust is a two-way street, a reciprocity between peers as between leaders and organizational members.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n Hutchinson emphasizes that trust is not just a given but a dynamic, evolving process that needs to be actively cultivated and maintained within organizations and societies. By promoting strong and healthy leadership grounded in trust, Hutchinson believes leaders can navigate the challenges and opportunities of our times more effectively.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n Color of Humility<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n In Exodus 3:1 \u2013 4:17, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through the wilderness for 40 years. Despite the limitations, Moses served God and the Israelites with humility. Moses lacked confidence and the gift of speech. Moses said, \u201cI am not a man of words\u201d (Exodus 4:10). The power in Moses\u2019 words came not from himself, but from God\u2019s addition. No leader under God can ignore listening to the appeals of the lowly or to their counsel. He must attentively listen to those he is leading. An essential lesson and principle of law stems out of Moses\u2019 humility,\u00a0meekness, and willingness to listen.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n The appeal of Zelophehad\u2019s five daughters to\u00a0Moses\u00a0regarding their inheritance. Their father had died without any sons, and\u00a0under the law\u00a0of the time, his daughters were left without an inheritance. Such an appeal was rare, as women\u2019s status in that era. All of society revolved around men. As a leader he listened to the plea of these women and humbly acknowledged his lack of knowledge. Focusing on their request, took it to God, received a response that surpasses the women\u2019s initial request. Like Moses, leaders must be humble, recognizing their own limitations and be dedicated to their employees. Moses is described as the humblest man on the earth\u00a0(Numbers 12:3). This humility did not come from his success, but it came from his failure.<\/p>\n According to Alfred Abolarin, a humble attitude could instigate a genuine desire to serve others without seeking personal recognition. Humility is real not perfect![7]<\/a> Servant Leadership exemplifies humility. Experts agree that servant leadership is essential for organizational success.[8]<\/a> This leadership model is different from the other models because servant leaders\u00a0prioritize serving others above all else, always accepts and empathizes, never rejects.[9] <\/a>Humility primarily centers around developing team members, benefiting the organization, and positively impacting the community.<\/p>\n Takeaway<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The Illuminaire emphasizes the importance of self-care. Leaders should exercise disconnecting from technology, avoiding unhealthy food, incorporating physical activities such as going to the gym, taking time off, building relationships, and, most importantly, understanding one’s limits. This sets an example for their team members.<\/p>\n Balancing family, work, school, and ministry, I take self-care very seriously. I am protective of my time, how it is spent, and with whom I spend it. Working in a fast-paced environment with constant noise and frequent offsite trips has taught me to set boundaries. I have learned to say \u201cNO\u201d without using the word \u201cNO\u201d. I believe in open communication about my limits with my colleagues and family. This gives me a sense of peace and freedom!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Hutchinson, Karise. \u201cIlluminaire: Bringing Life & Light to Leaders across the World<\/em>.\u201d 2024, 23.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Portland General Electric. Glint Survey: Employee Engagement 2024<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> \u201cIlluminaire,\u201d 30.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> \u201cIlluminaire,\u201d 31.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> \u201cIlluminaire,\u201d 29.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> John W. Ritenbaugh, \u201cWhat the Bible Says About Moses, Humility of (From Forerunner Commentary),\u201d Topical Studies, Bible Tools, accessed February 18, 2024, https:\/\/www.bibletools.org\/index.cfm\/fuseaction\/Topical.show\/RTD\/cgg\/ID\/6035\/Moses-Humility-of.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> \u201cIlluminaire,\u201d 43-44<\/p>\n