Arrogance invites ruin; humility receives benefits

It’s already clear that the newly-elected Pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Brogloio, is going to adopt a very different personal style to many of his predecessors.

When the official car with the Vatican City 1 number plate turned up to take him to his Santa Maria residence, he preferred to jump on the bus with all the other cardinals. He has declined to wear the mozzetta, the cape of scarlet and ermine, and has chosen a simple gold cross in favour of the jewel-encrusted crucifix. And, his choice of Francis as his Latin name underlines his belief in humble leadership. The response, not just from his Catholic followers, has been overwhelmingly positive.

Humility is not a characteristic much associated with lawyers. More typically, they are seen as arrogant and proud; a clever bunch who know when they’re right and have little time for those they perceive as socially or intellectually inferior, or without use to their work. Perhaps it’s not surprising, given the adversarial nature of legal matters, but many lawyers associate humility in others with a lack of self confidence, timidity or even submissiveness.

But, as Jim Collins pointed out in his book Good to Great, the most successful business leaders uniformly direct their ego away from themselves to the larger goal of leading their company and their team to greatness. From his research of successful companies, the best leaders combine intense professional will with extreme personal humility.

Humility is the absence of pride, not in the sense of false modesty, but in focusing on how we can improve rather than comparing ourselves constantly to others. Taking a humble approach to day-to-day work, or adopting a leadership style founded in humility, opens up possibilities.

Humility encourages us to be open-minded, to listen more and talk less, to take an active interest in others and to respect their opinions whatever their role or status. It means being willing to learn, rather than assuming that we already know the answer, and it requires us to join in with colleagues rather than staying aloof.

By sharing credit for success with others, working relationships improve and, by treating everyone with respect, regardless of their position, a culture of team working is generated and sustained.

For some, this may not come that easily, but by serving others rather than serving ourselves, and by not assuming superiority over others, the reaction from others will invariably be one of warmth, goodwill and respect, just like the example that Pope Francis has already set.

Ultimately, having a modest opinion of one’s own importance enhances rather than diminishes self confidence. Real humility is a sign of strength and courage. As C.S. Lewis once said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less”.