“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”

I was asked recently, “Can a great leader be too humble?”  I think the question that was really being asked was; “Can I be a great leader and still be extremely humble?”  It’s a great question as we don’t have many examples of great and humble leaders.  It’s not easy to be on the front line of competition, challenge and adversity and not have some ego to get us through.  That said, one can have ego (confidence) and still practice humility in our work and how we interact with others.  I saw a brand pitch that describe the company as “Radical Servant Leaders”.  I loved that because it is in that attitude and approach that we can be humble and still be great leaders.

John Dickson in his book, “Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love and Leadership” wrote this: “Humility is about redirecting of your powers, whether physical, intellectual, financial or structural, for the sake of others”.  So, yes, we can take on Christ-like humility today and be even greater leaders to those who we serve while we have been given the privilege and gift to lead.

Reference:  Proverbs 22:24 (New Living Translation)