Arrogant people say they believe in humility but their life says they believe in arrogance.
Humble people speak the truth. The temptation to temper the truth and say what others want to hear, for example, is nearly universal. If you’ve found someone who speaks the truth give them a raise. I’ve seen people negotiate how truthful they are going to be with the boss – if you don’t tell, I won’t tell.
One indication arrogance rather than humility dominates is how and when people speak the real truth. People who use anger, bitterness, or feeling offended as fuel to speak the real truth are arrogant not humble. They are more concerned for themselves than others.
15 Ways to spot humility or arrogance:
- Arrogant leaders advance their own agenda by telling others what they want to hear.
- Humble people serve higher purposes – not themselves. They do and say what’s best for others.
- Humble leaders put organizational success before their own. Don’t trust leaders who put their own success above organizational success.
- Humble leaders aren’t climbing the ladder; they are going down the stairs. They aren’t at the top of the heap; they are at the bottom.
- Arrogant leaders emphasize your responsibility to them.
- Humble leaders focus on responsibility to others.
- Arrogant managers don’t have time for people.
- Humble managers value people.
- Arrogant bosses focus more on getting than on giving.
- Arrogant people expect others to serve them.
- Humility serves others.
- Arrogant people brag about themselves.
- Humble people brag about others.
- Arrogance blames.
- Humility takes responsibility.
I believe humility is a virtue and pride is a vice. Humble people strengthen organizations. Arrogant people use organizations.
What suggestions do you have for spotting arrogance or humility?
How can leaders develop humility?
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Dare to read more: “Leading yourself into humility.” Humility yields success, arrogance blocks it.
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August 28, 2011 at 9:19 am |
Great post! Mind if I use it? I will be sure to let everyone know where I got it.
August 28, 2011 at 9:19 am |
Another that I would add:
Arrogant people have to be right. Humble people let others be right too.
August 28, 2011 at 10:19 am |
Dear Dan,
A very interest post Dear Dan. I like the distinguishing factor for arrogance and humility. I would like to add some more points here. Arrogant brag about themselves, humble people talk about issues. Arrogant people create space with people, humble people connect gap with people. Arrogant people wear masks and hides their reality, humble people shows their reality to others. Arrogant people create system based on opaqueness that serve their purpose and interest, humble people create harmonious and transparent system and serve others purpose. Arrogant people encourage people who can talk and support the interest of arrogant, humble people encourages people who can talk their minds. Arrogant people are fearful, humble people are powerful. Arrogant people talk much to create impression; humble people talk relevant and do not worry about impression. I strongly believe that arrogant people are ignorant. Ignorance instils arrogance and arrogance blocks their vision. Arrogant people are not visionary, humble people are visionary.
Leaders can develop humility by unmasking layers of ignorance and arrogance. They can change arrogance into humility by expecting from themselves what they expect from others. They need to introspect, and retrospect to measure with outcome. The perhaps best way to change arrogance into humility is by acceptance and openness. The willing to change arrogance into humility is the most challenging task. Nothing can change, if willing is missing.
August 28, 2011 at 11:53 am |
Thank you for a well-written post. As a young teacher leader, it’s always a great reminder of how to approach challenges with humility. With the mistakes I make daily, there’s no room for arrogance here!
One question: can humility and ambition live together? I’m referring to #4. In my experiences as a leader, it has always been about the success of the initiative and growth of the team. But I am young and do hope for personal and professional growth as well. How can one balance the two?
July 21, 2012 at 2:28 am |
Humility is to raise to oneself and others a higher version of oneself. Humility is not weak, or to be looked down on, or self abasing. To raise to oneself a higher version of oneself is to have ambition, to be great, and recognize are and others greatness. For a successful team, a leader must see the success within themselves, and in others, they must strive for their own betterment and for the betterment of others. Therefore they must have great ambition.
July 21, 2012 at 2:30 am |
In bettering themselves and serving others they must strive to be the best version of themselves they can be. They must have ambition and should not abase their goals or dreams but live up to them.
August 28, 2011 at 12:39 pm |
Shifting the stairs analogy to climbing a hill or mountain. Humble leaders walk with, sometimes from behind, sometimes a bit ahead, always aware of pace, timing and challenges to surmount.
After the long climb arrogant leaders say, “I am on top” when it was a group effort. So, arrogant leaders have only one I….a very limiting vision perhaps.
August 28, 2011 at 1:33 pm |
Arrogant people see only their own glorious reflection in the pool of water.
Humble people dive right through their outward image to explore what’s in the depths.
August 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm |
Great post, Dan. Hit everything right on the noggin.
August 28, 2011 at 7:49 pm |
How do you so consistently and continuously come up with excellent and provocative topics, wso quickly and so well-written? You seem to be an endless well.
One difference I have noticed: Arrogant leaders fire honest employees. No wonder the majority are disingenuous!
Humble leaders give honest employees a boost. No ownder people go home happy.
August 28, 2011 at 11:23 pm |
Being humble is a learned skill. “Saying nothing’ more often says more than speaking for the sake of filling silent air.
August 29, 2011 at 2:26 am |
The best way I know how to stay humble is to stay thankful. Gratitude is the fastest way I have found to humility.
If I’m thankful to someone who has done a great job, it promotes them instead of myself. I’ve also noticed when you’re thankful to someone, it spreads like wildfire! It causes them to be humbly thankful, too! Not to mention the respect it fosters among people!
It’s like a magic pill. Gratitude is not something you have to wait to see the results. It works right away to bring harmony and unity in any situation. Wow.
August 29, 2011 at 6:24 am |
Great post Dan. I do think it’s possible for humble leaders to reach the top but it’s very rare. It’s more often a result of the humble leader just happening to be in the right place at the right time than “climbing the ladder”. Too bad, because once they get there, they’re almost always successful. They attract the best talent and people want to work hard for them.
August 29, 2011 at 12:35 pm |
The only place arrogant wins is during wartime.
August 29, 2011 at 4:00 pm |
[...] Arrogant people say they believe in humility but their life says they believe in arrogance. Humble people speak the truth. The temptation to temper the truth and say what others want to hear, for example, is nearly universal. If you’ve found someone who speaks the truth give them a raise. I’ve seen people negotiate how truthful they are going to be with the boss – if you don’t tell, I won’t tell. One indication arrogance rather than humility domi … Read More [...]
August 31, 2011 at 12:23 pm |
Arrogance speaks; Humility listens.
This was a truly fantastic post…thank you.
September 7, 2011 at 9:42 pm |
Leaders of the attributes of humility and arrogance have no place in the world of modern management
December 31, 2011 at 2:09 pm |
Arrogant people believe they have the right to define others. Humble people don’t define themselves or others as positive or negative, “humble or arrogant”. Humble people accept that we are all flawed; we all bear qualities of humility and arrogance.
February 17, 2013 at 5:25 pm |
Arrogant people will disagree with the 15 ways.
April 1, 2013 at 2:48 pm |
Humble people are nice people and nice people never win in this societal climate we find ourselves in. The American Way, which was humble, has become the Chicago way…. Good guys finish last but the meek shall ultimately inherit the earth.
Love yourself, trust yourself, respect yourself, strive to live up to the best values you set for yourself and this will set an example for humility for all those you encounter.
Remember; happiness that is the goal not possessions. To achieve inner peace, self assurance, and confidence is by the quality of your accomplishments.