Like many people, I started my career in a cubicle. It was small, not much more than six feet by six feet, and if I moved my chair back too quickly, I hit my head on the metal filing cabinet directly behind me. If someone came into my cubicle, the person had two choices: either to stand or to sit on the edge of my desk, because there was literally no other place to occupy. A private conversation was an oxymoron. Everyone was clustered together with only partitions, but no walls, to divide us, which meant we could all hear everything that was said.

We were a little hive of activity, carrying out whatever tasks were assigned to us. We weren't changing the world, but we were involved in the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day running of the company, whether tracking orders or collecting receivables.

Looking back on those days, I gain a valuable perspective. No matter what positions of responsibility I later had the privilege of holding, I won't forget where I came from: the six-by-six workspace I affectionately call “the cube.” And I retain an appreciation for the people in those positions today. I know how much institutional knowledge and how many good ideas come from these people, because I used to be one of them.

The fourth of the four principles of values-based leadership, genuine humility, will keep you grounded as you rise through your career. At the heart of genuine humility is never forgetting who you are, appreciating the value of each person in the organization, and treating everyone respectfully whether she is a senior manager or a summer intern. No matter if you are a first-level manager, a senior executive, or the CEO, genuine humility enables you to remain authentic, approachable, and open to others. Genuine humility won't hold you down, but it does keep you grounded in who you truly are. Genuine humility will enhance every dimension of your life.

The more you practice genuine humility, the more your leadership will shine. Regardless of your position in the organization, with genuine humility, you understand that your attitude is a gift to others. You see each team member as important and recognize each person's worth. And that, after all, is what building teams is all about. Genuine humility showcases who you are as a person and a values-based leader, and how you treat people.