Discussion Guide

This guide provides suggestions for group discussion and learning. It is appropriate for use in work teams, courses on leadership, and workshops on leadership development.

Work Teams

1. How well are we working together?

2. Do we all truly show deep regard for others’ dignity?

3. Are we guilty of telling jokes at others’ expense?

4. Does our vision and strategy support the greater good for all our stakeholders?

5. Do we measure that?

Courses and Workshops

1. The concept of servant leadership (Greenleaf 1977) remains popular today. Is leader humility important for being a servant leader? If so, how?

2. How common is humility among leaders? What evidence do you see that supports your view?

3. Can leaders be effective without showing humility? Is the impact different?

4. Are there certain situations in which leader humility is inappropriate?

5. Why should leaders define their stakeholder groups broadly? What happens when they do not?

6. Do we need leaders who care to bring people together for the greater good? How can they do this?

7. How do you decide whether to keep someone who has low regard for others’ dignity but is a top performer? What is the risk of keeping such a person as an employee (if he or she won’t change)? What about the risk of keeping that person in a leadership role?

8. How important is it for leaders to ensure that people work together well?

9. Isn’t it appropriate to retain well-developed employees? Why would you want to consider supporting their further development if that could help them leave?

10. Do you believe that everyone needs a sense of self-worth?

11. Is it appropriate that people get to define what about themselves is worthy?

12. Can we really honor others’ dignity while disagreeing with (and taking action to correct) their behavior?

13. How do leader displays of anger and hostility affect others’ dignity?

14. How does social media’s “cancel culture” (unfollowing, thumbs-down in dislike, anonymous bullying) affect the norms of how we treat people in the workplace?

15. What is the compelling vision you share with others about your work?

16. Is there evidence that leaders behave unethically? Do you believe this is frequent?

17. With competing pressures, where should leaders draw the line about ethical behavior?

18. What societal problems would benefit from leaders working together?

19. Do you think leader humility is appropriate in the political environment? Why or why not?

20. What can you do as a leader to be a force for improving your organization’s culture?