Further Thoughts On Humility

A follow up to my previous post.  John Dickson makes some clarifying observations concerning humility.  I find these to be instructive and helpful – maybe even surprising.

Bottom line:  humility makes us greater (recall Jesus’ teaching about who is greatest).  It makes the great greater.  But humility  – holding our power in service of others – is not a natural posture in our culture.  We may need some coaxing to realize its value. Consider these 5 thoughts from Dickson (commentary is mine):

• Humility is common sense.  Think about it – no one is an expert at everything.  Expertise in one area counts for little in another. Acquiring skill for life relies on the ability to seek beyond the bounds of self.  Common sense requires that we lean into advisers, trusted friends, experts, spouses, parents, pastors – all of which can be accessible & deep wells of wisdom.  It’s true – we’ve all been reduced to crying for help in times of desperation.  But consider the added benefit of being proactively inquisitive at all times of life.  It’s a powerful tool that adds to our arsenal of common sense living.  Just because we stoop far enough to ask someone.

• Humility is beautiful.  We are attracted to the people that are humble.  We admire it in people we consider to be great,  You undoubtedly can think of many cultural icons on both sides of the humility coin (or maybe not!).  Humility is a magnet.  It’s attractive.  It’s approachable.  It’s disarming.  This is old, but increasingly foreign wisdom – see Philippians 2:3-8. In a pop-culture rendering of this idea, consider Bono – “if you wanna kiss the sky you better learn how to kneel.”

• Humility is generative.  Humility is a catalyst for growth.  It removes self-imposed glass ceilings.  It re-purposes life.  It is fertile soil.  Humility allows us to seek new paradigms, adopt better practices and collaborate for personal success.  In so doing, we gain wisdom, avoid mistakes, acquire stature & stability and become a wellspring to others.  Jeremiah’s tree (chapter 17, v 8) provides an visionary picture of generative living.

• Humility is inspiring.  It garners respect.  It has weight.  Jim Collin’s work about Level 5 leaders in Good To Great has provided substantial empirical evidence about the virtues of humble leadership in corporate America.  He has provided a quantum leap in our understanding of the empowering effect of humility.  It is effective.  It moves people.  It is salt.  It is light.

• Humility is persuasive.  This is easy to recognize and more easily forgotten.  We change (are persuaded) because we’ve been given a vision.  The vision comes from those we’ve given a foothold – a beachhead.  Typically, our respect flows to those that have taken a genuine interest in us – that is, have reserved some of their power in service to us.  They illuminate.  They energize.  They create alternatives.

I find these insights biblical, helpful and engaging.  They are helping me chart a better course.

Q:  Is humility power?