Their stories are all too common: after years of putting in long hours and climbing their way to the top, they finally made it. Now that they are in a position of power, these managers let their success go to their head and they forget all about the journey that brought them there. While there is nothing wrong with being proud of your success, it should be noted that the best leaders are humble leaders. Humility might not be the first quality that pops into your mind when you think about leadership skills, but studies have shown that managers who practice humility are more likely to trust and challenge their subordinates and this leads to happier and more productive employees. Conversely, employees who work for a self-centered boss who is arrogant and demanding are more likely to leave their jobs. This brings us to the point that it is important for managers to remember where they came from…and here’s why.
Your Story Can Motivate Others
Everyone knows that anyone who has made it to the top didn’t get there without a fight, so why not share that experience with your subordinates? Some managers fear sharing their professional journey for fear that it might make them appear weak. After all, sharing their journey means admitting mistakes they made and failures they encountered. The reality, however, is that sharing your journey with your subordinates is a great way to inspire and motivate them. It helps them to see you as a more relatable person who was once in their shoes and this can propel them forward and really empower them to want to work as hard as you did.
Use Your Mistakes as a Teachable Moment
Every manager made mistakes along their path to success. The best thing managers can do for their employees is to share these mistakes and use them as a teaching tool. Not only will the employees learn valuable lessons from these previous mistakes, but they will learn that it’s ok for them to make mistakes along the way too.
Share Your Knowledge with Others
No matter how successful you may be, there’s a good chance others helped you get there. You should always remember your roots and those who helped you along the way. Now that you are a manager, it’s your chance to mentor others and share your own knowledge to guide your subordinates to their own success.
Employees Appreciate Humility
Don’t isolate yourself from your employees by carrying an inflated ego. Great leaders are humble about their achievements and they know there is always room to grow. They never stop learning and they seek to grow even more. They are quick to admit when they are wrong and they treat everyone with dignity and respect. A manager who is humble and cognizant of where they started will inspire and motivate those around them. Their employees will appreciate and respect them for their humility and strive to learn alongside them.