Why being humble can make you a better leader

The tumultuous changes taking place in health care call for physician leaders who can attract and inspire followers. But the best way to accomplish that isn’t necessarily through a big, self-confident personality. Sometimes a dose of humility is what’s needed.

Here are five reasons why humility is an imperative leadership attribute:

1. It gives you upside as a leader. One advantage that comes from admitting you don’t know everything is that it endears you to your team. Your humility shows that you are willing to grow and acquire new skills and knowledge, which is appealing to others.

2. It makes you approachable. Peers and team members find it easier to approach someone when they know they won't be met with arrogance. Being unapproachable can rob leaders of potentially great ideas or suggestions.

3. It instills a sense of mission. A leader who is willing to give team members credit and work side-by-side with them will unite and inspire the team to work toward common goals.

4. It makes you naturally empathetic. Leaders who understand the suffering associated with failure can better understand when team members make mistakes. Their teams are willing to push harder and strive for greater things because they know mistakes will be forgiven.

5. It allows you to influence others. Influence yields great power. When team members believe you reflect the trait of humility, they are more willing to trust and follow you.

Read the full FPM article: “It’s Not Hard to Be Humble: The Role of Humility in Leadership.”