RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF EVERYONE
,How you practice genuine humility may be different than how I did, but at the heart of it, the principle is the same: you recognize the value in everyone; you know you are no better than anyone else; and the higher you move up in the organization, the more you stay grounded. You can't fake this. If you do, people will know you're a phony. You can't decide to spend twenty minutes a day walking the floor to be Mr. or Ms. Open, then close yourself off the rest of the time behind a wall of self-importance. If that's what you're going to do, then it's better not even to try.
If you think that your talent, abilities, accomplishments, educational pedigree, and title on your business card mean you really are better than other people, then you can't even pretend to have humility. No one is that good of an actor. If you do see yourself as superior, however, you will lose out on so much as a leader. Holding yourself above others makes it difficult to build a cohesive team—whether that means five direct reports or fifty thousand team members. You may not have a team who truly wants you and the organization to succeed.
As a leader, I saw how my practice of genuine humility made others feel appreciated. They knew I recognized their value, so they felt better about themselves and wanted to do more for the team. I recall several meetings with the senior executive team that went late into the night. By the time we left the building at eleven o'clock or so, the night cleaning crew would be arriving for work. Whenever our paths crossed, I would never just pass them by or give a perfunctory wave. We connected. They'd see the pictures of my family on my desk, and I'd ask about their children. I helped empty the wastebaskets while we talked. Before you think, “Oh, what a nice thing for Harry to do,” remember that genuine humility is not an exercise to look like a good guy. If it is, then it's not genuine humility. Rather, it is a reminder that every single person adds value and that no one is better than someone else.
When you are the leader, people are always watching you. The higher up you go, the more visible you are to more people. From that vantage point, you have an enormous opportunity, one that you can't take lightly: to set an example, influence behavior, and become a positive and uplifting force in the lives of a great many people. They, in turn, will inspire and motivate you.
Within an organization there are no secrets. Everything you do as a leader—how you operate, how you treat people, how you present yourself—is visible to everyone. Your leadership is literally 24/7. Although it is incredibly important to maintain life balance, to take time for your family, friends, and those things that are most important to you, even in these areas you are still a leader. You don't get a free pass from the four principles of values-based leadership just because it's the weekend. The principles are integrated into your life because they are based on doing the right thing.
The four principles of values-based leadership enhance who you are as a person and allow you to make a greater impact as a leader. The more self-reflective, balanced, truly self-confident, and genuinely humble you are, the more that others will appreciate what they see in you. Because you recognize the value in them, you will lead with the authority that comes from being authentic, and they will follow you. Being grounded in the four principles in your personal leadership, you are now ready to put them into action as you become a leader in a values-based organization.