1 Rare Trait That Will Instantly Point to Someone With Good Leadership Skills

It may be counterintuitive for many, but it is a signature trait of good leadership.

Mar 10, 2025

This week continues our five-part series on the leadership framework I present in my upcoming book: Humane Leadership: Lead With Radical Love, Be a Kick-Ass Boss. The evidence-based principles of Humane Leadership are designed to create workplaces where leaders lead with authenticity and confidence, inspire radical and practical love, and drive exceptional performance.

Today’s post is about humility. Humility in leadership means putting others first while being mindful of your own limitations. Humble leaders are strong in self-awareness, open to feedback, and ready to learn from anyone, regardless of rank or experience. They lead by example, recognizing that the success of their team is their success, not just their own. Humility cultivates a culture of growth and inclusivity.

If you’re joining me for the first time - welcome! You’ve arrived at a place dedicated to helping you grow as a leader. To get started, click the red button below, and I’ll do everything I can to provide you with insights, tools, and pathways to help you lead with greater clarity, impact, and care.

assorted-color lear hanging decor — Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

A signature trait of good leadership is one that’s extremely counterintuitive for many in leadership roles: humility. But fair warning: Calling yourself “humble” is something you cannot do because the very admission of it exposes you as potentially arrogant.

Taking the journey toward practicing humility is not an easy one; it will take a great deal of courage, but the long-term benefits are tremendous. The leadership strength of humility will become plainly evident in the way that your followers respond.

When author and lecturer Jim Collins wrote about top leaders in his seminal book Good to Great, he determined from his extensive research that these respected leaders direct their egos away from themselves to the larger goal of leading their company to greatness.

In essence, humble leaders achieve greatness without arrogance. They shift from ego to humility which can drastically alter the outcome to their advantage.

Here are three ways they exercise their influence through humility.

1. They shine the spotlight on others

Leaders who deflect the spotlight away from them and allow their followers to be in the spotlight gain respect at an alarming rate. There is something very liberating for employees when they receive credit. The problem we find is that too many leaders hunger for the spotlight, too many leaders want to stay in the spotlight, and too many leaders forget to shine the spotlight on others.

2. They unlearn and re-learn

In the movie The Empire Strikes Back, the Jedi Master Yoda challenges Luke Skywalker to shift his mindset from self-limiting thoughts to one of possibilities. Yoda said:

You must unlearn what you have learned.

This quote has triggered and provoked people’s thinking for decades. Think about what it means for your own life and leadership. There are many things that we must unlearn first — things we perceive to be true and assumptions we make because of our belief system — that limit us.

One of the downfalls of being a leader in the workplace is that we don’t have a clear and compelling picture of true leadership across the board to model for generations to come. In today’s business climate, we have to challenge our current worldview of who a leader is and what a leader does, day in and day out.

One common denominator of leadership is still a foreign concept for many: every interaction you’re in should foster productive relationships that lead to results. Arriving at this place takes the humble act of unlearning a few things that no longer hold value (or are true), and re-learning a few things that create value and impact in today’s post-pandemic age.

3. They accept (and are willing to) change

As leaders, we must be willing and motivated to change and grow. This is where humility matters. Your intentions to become a great leader someday have to be genuine and heart-based. In other words, humble leadership is connecting to the hearts of your people to gain their trust. It’s removing the obstacles and the habits that lend to fear, incivility, and toxicity, and which keep human beings from taking risks, making mistakes, and creating value.

As you grow and change as a leader, you have to be willing to go down deep to explore old habits and behaviors below the surface that need to be identified and changed. That takes a great deal of humility, but in the end, it will work to your advantage.

🚨 Humane Leadership is now available for pre-order!🚨

I’m excited to announce that my publisher has opened up pre-orders for Humane Leadership earlier than planned - the enthusiasm you’ve shown for this transformative approach to leadership must have gotten their attention!

This book isn’t just about being a good boss — it’s about creating an environment where your team feels empowered, respected, and supported to do their best work. The world of leadership is in dire need of a shift — one that moves away from fear-based control and embraces a more humane approach that values emotional intelligence, growth, purpose, and service to all stakeholders as the foundation of effective leadership.

Here’s what you can expect from the five principles of humane leadership:

Patience: Leading with calm and clarity, allowing time for growth and long-term success.
Kindness: Building strong, respectful relationships that foster collaboration and mutual respect.
Humility: Acknowledging one’s own limitations and leading by example through learning and growth.
Advocacy: Actively supporting your team and ensuring they have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Trustworthiness: Keeping promises, acting with integrity, and creating an atmosphere where trust can flourish.

Next week, we’ll continue our five-part series on the principles of Humane Leadership with advocacy, but in the meantime, be sure to pre-order your copy of Humane Leadership here. The release date is March 25. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

If you’re joining me for the first time - welcome! You’ve arrived at a place dedicated to helping you grow as a leader. To get started, click the red button below, and I’ll do everything I can to provide you with insights, tools, and pathways to help you lead with greater clarity, impact, and care.

For those ready to go deeper, here are a few ways I can support your leadership journey:

🎙️Listen to the Love in Action Podcast: Join deep, engaging conversations with top business experts and explore how practical love and care are great for people and profits. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
📖 Pre-Order Humane Leadership: Leadership needs a shift — from fear-based control to a more humane approach built on empathy, integrity, and purpose. Humane Leadership offers a fresh, compelling vision for leading in a way that empowers your team, fosters lasting loyalty, and drives outstanding business success. Pre-order your copy today!
🛠️ Curious About Coaching? Become a Substack Founding Member and receive two 30-minute, one-on-one coaching sessions. It’s a practical, low-commitment way to explore how coaching can support your leadership growth.
🚀 Leadership Coaching: Most coaching focuses on what leaders do - but real change starts with who you are. My coaching helps you build deep self-awareness, expand your influence, and create meaningful, lasting impact. Schedule a 30-Minute Discovery call to learn more.

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