Humble leaders recognize their own weaknesses.

Humble leaders highlight others' strengths.

Humble leaders are willing to take action to learn and grow from feedback.

The best leaders are often thought to be decisive and authoritative. But is this actually the best way to lead? Our research, and a large body of scientific evidence, suggests that another form of leadership—humble leadership—is better. But what is humble leadership, and why is it a more effective way to lead? And how can you become a more humble leader at work?

What is humble leadership?

Humble leadership is a form of leadership that is overarchingly focused on personal growth instead of projecting an image of perfection. It also places leaders on an equal pedestal compared to other employees. In many ways, humble leadership flies in the face of leadership stereotypes by showing that leaders who are open about their flaws are more likely to succeed than those who pretend they don't have any.

The first set of behaviors that humble leaders display reflects a willingness to see oneself accurately. This means that humble leaders are open and honest about their own shortcomings, instead of denying their existence. It also means that they are transparent about their strengths. Yet, humble leaders aren't wallflowers who shirk or delegate their responsibilities. Rather, they are willing to step up to the plate when they........

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