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Why Is It Important to Stay Humble?

Tiara Blain, MA, is a freelance writer for Verywell Mind. She is a health writer and researcher passionate about the mind-body connection, and holds a Master's degree in psychology.

Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor at Yeshiva University’s clinical psychology doctoral program.

Johner Images / Getty Images

What Is Humility?

Benefits of being humble, how to be more humble, humility is underrated.

Humility is the ability to view yourself accurately as an individual with talents as well as flaws while being void of arrogance and low self-esteem .

Humility is not always acknowledged as a relevant trait to possess, but it is in fact a remarkable character strength .

Humility isn’t always seen as a strength but sometime’s thought of as a weakness. Some believe that humility is having low opinions of yourself , low self-esteem, and a lack of confidence. It is in fact the opposite, humility is having the self-esteem to understand that even though you are doing well, you do not have to brag or gloat about it. 

It is important to stay humble because having humility not only helps you develop a more kind approach to interacting with others but it also influences how you perceive yourself and the world around you.

Strengthens Connection With Others

Humility helps one extend more compassion and empathy to others. Those who practice humility are more likely to consider others’ beliefs and opinions. This is most likely because humility offers the opportunity to become less self-involved and more attuned with the feelings of others.

This is because humility offers the opportunity to become less self-involved and more attuned with the feelings of others.

If you're able to be happy for others and their accomplishments and not be consumed by jealousy or self-pity, this can help your develop more positive relationships .

Broaden's Perspective of Self

Humility also helps in the development of self-growth and self-awareness, because it allows one to rationally acknowledge ways in which they can improve themself.

Humility can produce more happiness , positive emotions, and well-being because a person has a clearer understanding of the self. They are able to be comfortable with who they are and who they are not. 

In a study evaluating undergraduate students' perspectives of humility, researchers found humility to be associated with positive emotion and good psychological adjustment.

Broaden's Perspective of the World

Humility can help develop a more profound and evolved outlook of the world and what is going on in it. Humility allows you to consciously be aware that you bring worth to this world but that there are many others in the world who also have a purpose . 

Strengthens Connection Between Spirituality, Religion & Well-Being

Humility is a religious virtue. There is a correlation between humility, positive well-being , religion , and spirituality . 

Researchers discovered that for those with a moderate amount of humility, as opposed to lower levels, humility acts as a moderator that helps facilitate positive psychological functioning for those who consider themselves religious or spiritual.

According to researchers, these results could indicate that a person must have some form of humility in order for humility to act as a moderator to these factors. 

Let's take a look at ways in which you can learn to be more humble.

Don't Mix Up Pride With Prideful

Most would consider humility the antonym of pride and may associate pride as being a bad trait to possess.

Pride is not a negative thing, it is actually quite important. Pride comes from being proud and there is nothing wrong with being proud of yourself or where you come from.

Taking pride in yourself, your culture, your achievements, etc. are great qualities. It’s important to embrace who you are, what you’ve accomplished and the journey it took to get there.

Pride is the appreciation of yourself and your beliefs, it is having confidence and assurance that you are an important and relevant contribution to this world.

However, if pride becomes extreme that is when humility is absent and a person may exhibit selfish or narcissistic behaviors.

If a person begins to think they are better than others and only makes decisions that depend on what’s best for them, they are considered self-centered and prideful. Obsessive pride makes it difficult to be considerate to others or form genuine relationships. People who are too prideful may not notice or realize that there are areas in which they can improve on.

Prideful people may also find it difficult to be self-aware when they are in the wrong.

Do Some Soul Searching

Usually, those who are prideful display a cockiness that often stems from unidentified insecurities. Overly high self-esteem is not actually confidence but in fact repressed negative emotions towards oneself.

Researchers in the field of social psychology found individuals who displayed egotism and narcissism presented higher levels of “displaced aggression” when hearing insults that threatened their egos.

Understand Yourself Better

Insecurities that people don't often acknowledge could be the source of egotistic or self-righteous behavior to protect oneself from criticism from others or rejection. It’s important to evaluate if overly high self-esteem may originate from your own insecurities or past experiences. A mental health professional can help you get some more insight into who are you and who you would like to be.

Give Out Compliments When You Can

Acknowledging the achievements and accomplishments of others can help you move the focus off of yourself a bit.

Compliment people for jobs well done. Focusing on the feelings of others sometimes helps you get out of yourself more.

We all need to hear from others every now and then that we’re on the right track, so be the person that assures someone they’re doing OK.

Don't Be a Pushover

Don’t confuse humility with compliancy. Holding people to high regard and consideration does not mean you must allow them to walk all over you.

You should always stand up for yourself and what you believe and do your best no matter what. The point of humility is that you do not have to make someone feel worthless while doing so. This doesn't mean becoming a pushover though.

Allowing others to take advantage of you can take a toll on your well-being. This also impacts an individual’s confidence and can cause resentment, so be sure to consider yourself while considering others.

Many people do not realize how essential it is to be humble. This may be because they do not fully understand the concept or have yet to learn what it means to be humble.

Humility in Society

After coming across a survey evaluating life satisfaction in middle-aged adults, experts in positive psychology found it concerning that humility and modesty were not highly recognized character traits that equated to life satisfaction. This discovery forced them to reflect on America’s culture in regards to how we view such traits as humility. 

In a very communist society, individuals embed a “survivor of the fittest” mindset, in which the stronger and better reach the top, so people are forced to develop a “ lookout for your own” viewpoint. People are exposed to consistent competition as children where they're competing for attention in academia, athletics, and the home. Later, in adulthood, this competitive nature rears its head in career settings.

Similar ideologies are present in what both children and adults watch and listen to. The culture of the entertainment industry, such as music, television, and other sources often consuming our attention, finds a need to portray very vain and egocentric concepts.

In a study including undergraduate students, humility was not viewed as a quality necessary for entertainers or leaders. This makes it difficult to understand the need for humility not just in how we engage with each other, but in how we view the world.

A Word From Verywell

Even if you were the best at something this time, be modest because you just may not be the best next time around, and that’s OK. Accept failure graciously whenever it occurs and humbly support others by giving someone else their flowers and a standing ovation when it's due. Sometimes you won't be the one on the stage receiving the flowers and it can feel just as satisfying in the audience, sitting down and being humble. 

Tangney JP. Humility: Theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and directions for future research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 2000;19(1):70–82. doi:10.1521/jscp.2000.19.1.70

Harvey JH. Pauwels BG. Modesty, humility, character strength, and positive psychology. Social and Clinical Psychology. 2005;23(5): doi:10.1521/jscp.23.5.620.50753

Van Tongeren DR, Davis DE, Hook JN, Witvliet C vanOyen. Humility . Current directions in psychological science : a journal of the American Psychological Society . 2019;28(5):463-468. doi:10.1177/0963721419850153

Exline JJ, Geyer AL. Perceptions of Humility: A Preliminary Study. Self and Identity. 2004;95-114. doi:10.1080/13576500342000077

Kellenberger J. Humility . University of Illinois Press. 2010;47(4):321-336.

Paine DR, Sandage SJ, Ruffing EG, Hill PC. Religious and Spiritual Salience, Well-Being, and Psychosocial Functioning Among Psychotherapy Clients: Moderator Effects for Humility. J Relig Health . 2018;57(6):2398-2415. doi:10.1007/s10943-018-0612-4

Bushman BJ, Baumeister RF. Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: does self-love or self-hate lead to violence? . J Pers Soc Psychol . 1998;75(1):219-229. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.75.1.219

By Tiara Blain, MA Tiara Blain, MA, is a freelance writer for Verywell Mind. She is a health writer and researcher passionate about the mind-body connection, and holds a Master's degree in psychology.

What Is Humility & Why Is It Important? (Incl. Examples)

Deriving from the word humus (earth), it appears to clash with our current valuation of self-worth and self-realization.

But humility has nothing to do with meekness or weakness. And neither does it mean being self-effacing or submissive. Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It entails not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously.

In the past decade in particular, psychologists have rediscovered the importance of humility. They have established fascinating links between humility and our ability to learn and be effective leaders, and our readiness to engage in prosocial behavior.

Adopting a more humble mindset increases our overall psychological wellbeing and ensures our social functioning. Last but not least, humility is a perfect antidote to the self-fixated spirit of our age.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Strengths Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients realize your unique potential and create a life that feels energized and authentic.

This Article Contains:

The history of humility, what is humility in psychology, humility as a character strength, why is humility important, 5 real-life examples, how to practice humility.

• 5 Exercises for Fostering Humility

4 Tips for Raising a Humble Kid

Techniques for humble leadership and workplace, the importance of humility in relationships.

• 2 Books on the Topic

A Take-Home Message

Humility is a core value in many ancient ethical and theological frameworks. The Confucian form of humility, for example, is profoundly other oriented in spirit, consistently valuing the social good over the satisfaction of our individual aspirations. In this ancient Chinese form, humility can significantly enhance social cohesion and our sense of belonging.

The Greek philosopher Socrates held that wisdom is, above all, knowing what we don’t know. He taught an intellectual form of humility that freely acknowledges the gaps in our knowledge and that humbly seeks to address our blind spots.

Aristotle understood humility as a moral virtue, sandwiched between the vices of arrogance and moral weakness. Like Socrates, he believed that humility must include accurate self-knowledge and a generous acknowledgment of the qualities of others that avoids distortion and extremes.

An accurate understanding of our strengths and weaknesses is still a core feature of current definitions of humility.

Christian humility is linked to self-abnegation, shame, and sin and may therefore not be to everyone’s taste. However, the ancient theologians can still help us to avoid arrogance and pretentiousness. They remind us that we are members of a species that is far from perfect and urge us to be mindful of the limited role we each have to play in the fate of humanity as a whole.

Through the centuries, the importance of humility as a moral character virtue has faded. However, psychological studies of humility have surged in the last two decades (Worthington, Davis, & Hook, 2017). This renewed interest in humility is, in no small part, a counter-reaction to what the authors of The Narcissism Epidemic , Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell (2009), have described as our “ age of entitlement .”

Today, self-realization and enhancing our self-worth are our highest aspirations. Precisely because it provides an antidote to many worrying tendencies of our age, such as arrogance, greed, and self-centeredness (all of which also have devastating consequences for our democracies and our planet), humility is experiencing a much-needed revival.

Capturing our other-orientation, it is closely related to modesty and fairness, but also our interest in wealth and other signs of status and our inclination toward self-promotion. Crucially, it also involves seeing ourselves accurately – not thinking of ourselves more highly (or, for that matter, lowly) than is appropriate.

Worthington et al. (2017) understand humility as made up of three parts:

• Accurate self-perception
• Modest self-portrayal
• Other-oriented relational stance

They note that the recent growth in humility-focused studies coincides with the rise of positive psychology and frustration with the limitations of purely individualistic virtues. Alongside compassion, forgiveness, altruism, gratitude, and empathy, humility belongs to “ a cluster of virtues that bind society together ” (Worthington et al., 2017).

Worthington et al. (2017) further divide humility into general humility and more specific kinds of humility. These include intellectual humility, relating to an openness about our views, beliefs, and opinions; and cultural humility, an ability to acknowledge and learn from the achievements of other cultures (Hazlett, 2012; Davis et al., 2015).

Other sub-types of humility are political and spiritual humility.

While other-orientedness is a core interpersonal feature of humility, Tangney (2009) has identified six intrapersonal aspects of humility:

• A willingness to see ourselves truthfully
• An accurate perception of our place in the world
• An ability to acknowledge our mistakes and limitations
• Low self-focus
• An appreciation of the value of all things

Hill and Laney (2016), finally, understand humility as involving a quiet ego (see also Kesebir, 2014).

Choosing humility in a self-centered age – Quincy Mix

We can also understand humility as a character strength . As such, it is an essential component of moral character that is manifested in modesty, being empathetic, acknowledging and respecting others at a deeper level, and accurately understanding as well as owning our limitations (Harvey & Pauwels, 2004).

As a character strength, humility can be viewed as the opposite of pride, arrogance, and an inflated sense of our importance and talents. It is based on a fundamentally caring and compassionate attitude toward others.

Finally, we may also think of humility as a specific mindset. After all, it is a crucial aspect of what Carol Dweck (2006) has described as the “growth mindset.”

In Dweck’s framework, humility entails not just admitting our shortcomings, but actively seeking to overcome them. It is about a general readiness to learn best practices from others and learn from our failures (see also Syed, 2015).

Humility is, therefore, intricately related to learning and teachability – a way of being that embraces constant self-correction and self-improvement.

A humble mindset has significant positive effects on our cognitive, interpersonal, and decision-making skills . Humility is directly related to our ability and willingness to learn. Humble people are better learners and problem solvers.

Humble students who are genuinely open to feedback often overtake their naturally more talented peers who think so highly of their own abilities that they reject all advice. Some studies have found that humility is more important as a predictive performance indicator than IQ (Owens, Johnson, & Mitchell, 2013; Krumrei-Manusco, Haggard, LaBouff, & Rowatt, 2019).

Humility in our leaders, moreover, fosters trust, engagement, creative strategic thinking, and generally boosts performance (Rego et al., 2017; Ou, Waldman, & Peterson, 2020; Cojuharenco & Karelaia, 2020). Humility is also related to a general increase in positive emotions. Moreover, humility fosters self-forgiveness (Onody et al., 2020).

Besides, there are indications that humility strengthens various social functions and bonds. As a consequence of experiencing less stress and fewer negative experiences with others, humility might be related not just to better mental health, but also better physical health (Worthington et al., 2017, p. 7).

Last but not least, a lack of cultural humility is associated with xenophobia, the fear and hatred of foreigners. Humility, by contrast, is associated with xenophilia, an attraction to foreign cultures.

Those of us who lack cultural humility are more prone to make assumptions about others, feel superior to them, and dramatically overvalue our knowledge and talents in comparison to others (Hook, Davis, Owen, Worthington, & Utsey, 2013; Barbarino & Stürmer, 2016).

A famous trio of truly humble people are Gandhi , Nelson Mandela , and Mother Teresa . All of them heroically dedicated their energies and time to serving their ideals and tirelessly working to improve the living conditions for other people.

Yet they remained modest and unpretentious about their astounding achievements and never tied them to their own personalities. They humbly served not their egos, but instead a greater external cause.

We can see many examples of personalities who lack humility by turning to the world of fiction and television. For instance, you might remember the spoiled and over-indulged Veruca Salt from the famous tale of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

The child of affluent parents, Salt stands in stark contrast to the story’s protagonist, believing she is without fault and entitled to anything she wants. This lack of humility comes at a price when she is whisked away down a garbage chute that judges her to be a “bad egg.”

Another example is Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones. The character of Joffrey is known for his narcissistic entitlement, vastly inflated sense of his talents, and desire to dominate–all traits negatively correlated with humility (Worthington et al., 2017, p. 7).

Joffrey shows little sympathy or concern for other characters throughout the story, including his own wife, Sansa, whom he treats with severe cruelty. It is little wonder audiences around the world celebrated when he was poisoned and died in Season 4, putting an end to his reign of tyranny.

We need to begin by developing an accurate understanding of our strengths and weaknesses .

Then we must own our imperfections . When we do, we no longer have to waste our energy hiding them from others, but can instead seek to learn to live with them productively or even to overcome them.

Paradoxically, a stubbornly low opinion of ourselves is also in contradiction to a humble view of ourselves. Extremely low self-esteem , just as a narcissistic overvaluation of our talents, lacks accuracy. It is just an inverted form of self-obsession, another way of fixating on ourselves rather than directing our attention toward others.

Although we are the subject in our world, we must remember that we are an object in everybody else’s. We are not the center of the universe. This includes adjusting our perspective . Our woes and desires become ever more insignificant the more we step back from them and consider the bigger picture. Our time on this planet is limited. Our works and achievements are transient.

We are all parts of structures that are larger than ourselves – couples, families, communities, nations, the organizations for which we work, the human species. We should never forget the many teams of which we are a part – small and large. Sometimes, it is apt to privilege the needs of our teams over our individual desires.

We must stay curious and open to learning. We can learn from anyone and everything at all times. We can learn from friends and family, our children, and people who master specific skills.

We have much to learn from other cultures and our ancestors. We can learn precious lessons from animals and even plants.

Humor is a powerful tool. We can all benefit from laughing more about ourselves and our imperfections.

3 Exercises for Fostering Humility

Exercises that hone gratitude and appreciation can boost a humble state of mind. A great starting point is PositivePsychology.com’s Expressing Gratitude To Others worksheet. It invites us to value our important relationships with others. It encourages us to think about the people who have influenced us most positively in our lives, truly appreciate their contribution, and demonstrate our gratitude.

Another classic exercise is the Gratitude Journal exercise. This exercise asks us to write down the things and people that we are thankful for, which triggers reflection on them at the end of each day.

Gratitude Gifts  is an activity for children that aims to help them generate a more grateful mindset.

Finally, we have much to learn from the Romantics. They held nature in the highest esteem. They knew it as an awe-inspiring force, a manifestation of the sublime that reminds us of our relative insignificance in the greater scheme of things.

Nature has curative powers. It can put us back in our place. We can experience a powerfully self-importance-correcting sense of awe by looking out to sea, peering down the edges of dramatic cliffs, touching the ancient trunks of towering trees, and viewing waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers, and still, deep ponds.

We can feel humbled when we are reminded of the force of the elements – battered by strong winds, drenched by the heavens – or when we see zigzagging lightning light up the night sky.

Children learn by copying .

The most effective way to teach children humility is by modeling it ourselves. We can show them what humility looks like in action daily.

While seeking to foster healthy self-esteem, we should not over-inflate children’s sense of importance . And nor should we twist their view of their own talents. This is a very tricky balance to strike.

We can approximate this ideal by trying to praise effort over results and by fostering a growth mindset (Dweck, 2006). This includes honing children’s ability to learn from failure and teaching them to see failure as a natural part of any meaningful learning process.

We can show children other ways of seeing the world and thinking about things. Our best tools are books, films, and works of art. By exposing them to radically different world views and talking about the discrepancies they notice with an open mind, we can alert them to the fact that their way of viewing the world is not the only one. And nor is ours.

We, too, can learn much from children in turn and should tell them so when we do.

Finally, gratitude exercises work with children, too. We can, for starters, simply ask them to name one thing for which they have been particularly grateful today.

Jim Collins, in Good to Great (2001), has demonstrated that the most outstanding leaders are also the most humble. The best leaders combine professional will with personal humility. They are often “ self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy ” – always privileging the institutions they serve over their egos (Collins, 2001, p. 12).

These leaders believe in human development. They do not crave credit, nor do they constantly need to show how great they are or undermine others to feel powerful. They are instead relentlessly trying to improve and learn from their failures. By modeling humility, they create a humble working culture in their organizations.

Bradley Owens says that humble leaders are essentially self-transcendent. Humble leaders “ have successfully tempered or tamed the ego and embraced a leadership perspective that seeks to elevate everyone ” (Aten, 2019). They are teachable, eager to learn, willing to see themselves accurately, and able to praise those around them. They foster in their workforce hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism (Owens, Yam, Bednar, Mao, & Hart, 2019).

Humble leaders, moreover “ are more likely to see failure as just a part of the developmental process. Since humble leaders don’t try to keep up appearances or power postures, it is less distressing and thus easier to recover when things don’t go well ” (Aten, 2019).

Worthington et al. (2017) define relational humility as our “ ability and capacity to prioritize the needs of the relationship. It requires being sympathetic to the other person in the relationship and seeking to consider his or her fundamental needs ,” as well as “ shaping our behavior to elevate the other person’s agenda .”

Humility in relationships can be transformational when we move beyond our selfish preferences and consider not just our partner’s wellbeing, but the wellbeing of the partnership. Relationship humility builds trust, commitment, and persistence (Worthington et al., 2017, p. 12).

2 Books On The Topic

Find two suggestions for in-deth reflection on the topic of humility.

The Handbook of Humility: Theory, Research, and Applications

It features a very readable introduction and epilogue that provide a fine overview of the growing field of humility research and its main findings so far, as well as numerous chapters on specific features of and perspectives on humility.

Available on Amazon .

The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Humility

It covers theories, ethics, psychology, and politics of humility, as well as humility in religious thought.

The ancient virtue of humility is experiencing a long-overdue revival. Not only has humility research proliferated in the past years, but there is a mounting body of evidence that demonstrates just how vital humility is for all of us. It is closely correlated with learning, outstanding leadership, various prosocial behaviors, and our ability to forge deeper bonds with others.

Humility has the potential to be a panacea for many of our most pressing political problems, as well as for global environmental challenges. Last but by no means least, humility is also merely a highly likable trait. We are much more attracted to those who are not self-centered, arrogant, pretentious, or greedy. These tendencies have become all too common in recent decades, but the tide is turning.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Strengths Exercises for free .

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• Aten, J. D. (2019, February 26) How humble leaders foster resilience: An interview with Dr. Bradley Owens on the value of humility. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-resilience/201902/how-humble-leaders-foster-resilience
• Barbarino, M. L., & Stürmer, S. (2016). Different origins of xenophile and xenophobic orientations in human personality structure: A theoretical perspective and some preliminary findings. Journal of Social Issues , 72 , 432–449.
• Cojuharenco, I., & Karelaia, N. (2020). When leaders ask questions: Can humility premiums buffer the effects of competence penalties? Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes , 156 , 113–134.
• Collins, J. (2001).  Good to great: Why some companies make the leap—and others don’t. Random House Business.
• Davis, D., Rice, K., McElroy-Heltzel, S., Deblaere, C., Choe, E., Van Tongeren, D., & Hook, J. (2015). Distinguishing intellectual humility and general humility. The Journal of Positive Psychology , 11 , 1–10.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfill your potential . London, UK: Robinson.
• Harvey, J. H., & Pauwels, B. G. (2004). Modesty, humility, character strength, and positive psychology. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 23 , 620–623.
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• Hill, P., & Laney, E. K. (2016). Beyond self-interest: Humility and the quieted self, In K. W. Brown & M. R. Leary (Eds.) The Oxford handbook of hypo-egoic phenomena. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
• Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., Owen, J., Worthington, E. L., & Utsey, S. O. (2013). Cultural humility: Measuring openness to culturally diverse clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology , 60 (3), 353–366.
• Kesebir, P. (2014). A quiet ego quiets death anxiety: Humility as an existential anxiety buffer. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 106 (4), 610–623.
• Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J., Haggard, M. C., LaBouff, J. P., & Rowatt, W. C. (2019). Links between intellectual humility and acquiring knowledge. The Journal of Positive Psychology , 155–170.
• Onody, A. P., Woodyatt, L., Wenzel, M., Cibich, M., Sheldon, A., & Cornish, M. A. (2020). Humility and its relationship to self-condemnation, defensiveness and self-forgiveness following interpersonal transgressions. Journal of Psychology and Theology , 48 (2), 118–130.
• Ou, A. Y., Waldman, D. A., & Peterson, S. J. (2018). Do humble CEOs matter? An examination of CEO humility and firm outcomes. Journal of Management , 44 (3), 1147–1173.
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• Rego, A., Owens, B., Leal, S., Melo, A., Cunha, M., Gonçalves, L., & Ribeiro, P. (2017). How leader humility helps teams to be humbler, psychologically stronger, and more effective: A moderated mediation model. The Leadership Quarterly , 28 , 639–658.
• Robson, D. (2020, June 1). Is this the secret of smart leadership?  BBC . Retrieved June 3, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200528-is-this-the-secret-of-smart-leadership
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What our readers think.

Humility presumes that somethings are more important than self. This is absurd…nothing at all in the Universe is more important than self. Without self, there is no individual autonomy…that is…a so called humble person is attacking the core freedom implicit in the dignity and value of every individual person. Liberty, freedom and self directed human creativity is destroyed with the corrosive effects of the embrace of humility as a virtue.

I thought that this article was extremely insightful, well written, fair and balanced. I really believe that it is quite accurate. I enjoyed it very much. Interesting when you applied it to the day and age that we are living in. Regards, Laura

Medieval knights went to chapel before each crusade and epic battle. The Pope is required to spend time in ‘The Room of Tears’ before his 1st ever speech from the balcony. Why? Humility is a powerful natural asset that can always use some refining or a refresher course. Tell me about it. Before any epic journey or life change a little reacquaintance with humility is always a good idea. It lets you regain perspective. I intend to quit smoking after a 40-pack/year habit. That’s why I spend a lot of time scrounging around for cigarette butts to smoke instead of actually buying a pack. It’s gross, disgusting, and smelly, which was exactly what I needed to stay on track. Hopefully it will work.

Your claim about Christian humility is grossly unfair and unacceptable. It has nothing to do with shame or self~abnegation. Rejection of sin is a very healthy aspect of humility

I have been blessed by this articel so much that I thank God, especially from Wendy above. I pray that God enables this virtue in me and my family.

Thank you very much, wish you all the best !

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The eight kinds of humility that can help you stay grounded, there are many ways to be humble, according to recent research..

Humility has been lauded as a virtue in most world cultures and wisdom traditions. More recently, scientists have started to study humility, and they’re discovering its many benefits.

“Psychologists have recently linked intellectual humility to a host of benefits: showing more persistence in the face of failure, holding less polarized beliefs and attitudes, and being received as warm and friendly by others,” writes Tyrone Sgambati in Greater Good .

As a psychiatrist, I think humility springs from deep awareness that the world can only come through our own eyes, experiences, and insights. No matter how knowledgeable or skillful I might be, there’s always more to learn. There are always people with different perspectives, life experiences, knowledge, and skills. There are always different people to cherish, be present with, and learn from. Humility helps us cultivate  empathy  and relatedness. Without those, where are we?

We’re also learning that there are many different kinds of humility—and that each one can have limitations. I’m wary of those who counsel deferential or pious humility to contain and admonish those who have strong opinions and perspectives. For example, the stereotype of humble Asians and Asian Americans acts to silence important messages that are quite critical to our time of change and distress. To be bold and not “humble” per se risks being called “arrogant” or “difficult to deal with.”

I think it’s possible to be both brave and humble, but it requires constant internal and interpersonal work, and risks rupturing or distressing relationships. That perspective keeps me grounded even when I express myself and my concerns for marginalized peoples quite strongly. In that way, a sense of responsibility and allyship fuels both bravery and many forms of humility.

Here’s an overview of eight varieties of humility—and of all the ways they can keep us grounded even in the face of injustices.

Cultural humility. We all have biases based on our cultural experiences and identities. Our experiences might give us only partial understandings of people from other cultures, and, all too often, we might carry stereotyped assumptions about other cultures that will inevitably cause harm. We all live in perspective bubbles, though these bubbles are now more porous than ever.

Familial (or intergenerational) humility. It would do the world a lot of good if parents (and older people generally) would be humble in the face of their children’s perspectives in life. They are literally seeing a whole new ballgame. Similarly, older folks have often accumulated wisdom and experience, and younger people could afford to be humble as well when hearing them out. Perhaps everyone in the family, older and younger, could afford to be more humble in the face of uncertainty and the need to negotiate relationships in times of distress.

Intellectual humility (particularly around opinion). A study published in the Journal of Personality Assessment proposed two key dimensions of intellectual humility: self-directed vs. other-directed and internal vs. expressed. These can be mapped out into a two-by-two grid with these four domains:

• Internal and self-directed intellectual humility: requires inquiring within and questioning yourself and your assumptions.
• Internal and other-directed intellectual humility: requires asking yourself whether you can understand and relate to others’ beliefs and perspectives.
• Expressed and self-directed intellectual humility: requires behaving in ways consistent with your internal sense of humility.
• Expressed and other-directed intellectual humility: requires relating to others in good faith. I think cultivating a sense of common humanity, and feeding common humanity with our actions, despite differences of opinion is really important here.

The therapeutic adages “you can be right or related” and “you can be right or happy” are helpful here. Also, we might try to remember the folk Buddhist saying: “The world is divided into those who are right.”

Humility of knowledge. As much as any of us might have known or learned, there’s always more to learn and understand. There are also obviously different perspectives on the same body of knowledge or even the same event. I think it’s important for those in the dominant culture to be humble when trying to relate to those with lived experience and close-to-the-ground knowledge in the areas in question.

Humility of skill. No matter how skillful we might be, it’s good to stay humble in the face of new situations, the potential for errors, and the inevitability of change. Humility can help us stay grounded and  mindful  in the situation for which our skills are required.

Humility of wisdom. I think we’d all like to eventually be respected and appreciated for our wisdom, accomplishments, skill, talent, or knowledge accumulated through life experience and lifelong learning and growth. However, as Socrates said, “the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Holding a position of power and privilege predisposes to erosions of empathy, relatedness, and wisdom. Humility, holding true to the bigger picture, and deep relationship to a wide variety of people guard against these erosions and corruptions.

Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility

This article is part of our three-year GGSC project to raise awareness about intellectual humility research and its implications.

Humility of awe. “The fate of this man or that man was less than a drop, although it was a sparkling one, in the great blue motion of the sunlit sea,” writes T. H. White in The Once and Future King . White is capturing how simultaneously important and small we are in the universe, a feeling researcher Dacher Keltner describes in his scientific understanding of awe: “being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.” He goes on to highlight the evolutionary benefits of awe (which is linked to humility): “Awe binds us to social collectives and enables us to act in more collaborative ways that enable strong groups, thus improving our odds for survival.” Awe helps us to see that the whole is truly greater than the sum of all parts. Which brings us to…

Humility in the face of suffering. Suffering is a vast subject. Research has shown that we are often pulled to help others, but we can become overwhelmed and shut down when faced with large-scale suffering and catastrophe. How do we keep an open heart? I believe the answer lies in cultivating presence, humility, and humor in the face of suffering and potential suffering. That kind of humility will help us to go beyond the scope of our current capacity—and keep us honest, open, ready, and alive.

This essay was revised from a blog entry published by Psychology Today on September 8, 2022. Read the original .

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Ravi Chandra

Ravi Chandra is a psychiatrist, writer, and compassion educator in San Francisco, and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Here’s his linktree .

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Why being humble is so important in the world of work

Humble people are willing to see themselves accurately and appreciate feedback. Image:  Photo by fauxel/Pexels

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Stay up to date:, future of work.

• Recent research shows that people who effectively learn from mistakes share one common characteristic: humility.
• Humble people see value in errors and the information that they provide for their own learning, giving them an edge over others.
• We must create a positive attitude towards humility and learning from our mistakes.

Learning from errors and mistakes seems to be the mantra of our time. Popular approaches like Agile, Scrum, or Lean Startup all have turned the ability to experiment and quickly learn from mistakes into a core competence for the early 21 st Century. Studies also show that people who learn from errors are more creative, more resilient and show higher performance in volatile work environments.

But learning from errors is easier said than done. From early childhood on, we are socialized to avoid making mistakes. Remember the red marks in school? So many people become defensive when something goes wrong and avoid talking about it. The fear is too great to look stupid or to be blamed for making the mistake. As a result, we rather analyse successes than failures, which hinders the learning from mistakes.

Have you read?

The rise of the ‘belief-driven’ employee, remote, office or hybrid working this book could help you decide, leadership: 4 ways to make remote working work better.

But there is hope. In a piece of research I co-published recently , my colleagues and I discovered that people who effectively learn from mistakes share one common characteristic: humility. Humility is a willingness to view oneself accurately, a displayed appreciation of others’ strengths and contributions, and teachability.

But why are humble people more effective at learning from their mistakes? Humble people are willing to see themselves accurately and appreciate feedback. Errors and mistakes provide feedback on one’s own actions. So humble people see value in errors and the information that they provide for their own learning. This gives them an edge over others.

Are you interested in improving the learning from mistakes in your firm by fostering some more humility? Here are three evidence-based tips:

1. Create a positive attitude towards humility

The attitude towards humility is the degree to which people view humility as something good or desirable. If we see something as good, it is also likely that we will engage in related behaviours. Unfortunately, in today’s daily language, humility is often associated with negative aspects such as low self-esteem or inferior sense of worth.

Challenge this laymen’s view by explaining why humility is actually a character strength or even a virtue. Leadership scholars have provided compelling evidence that humility is related to CEO performance. And it gets better. CEO humility translates into organizational performance by creating an empowering work environment. This is why some suggest that humble leaders make the best leaders .

You want to go even further? Philosophers have long held humility as a meta-virtue that is foundational to other virtues such as courage, wisdom and forgiveness. Also, humility has been related to Aristotle’s Golden Mean , Buddhism’s Middle Way , and Confucianism’s Zhong Yong (Doctrine of the Mean).

So there seem to be compelling reasons to re-think how we view humility.

Humble people see value in errors and the information that they provide for their own learning. This gives them an edge over others.

2. Establish cultural norms which favour humble behaviours

Social norms have a strong influence on how we behave. Social norms guide people in what behaviours are expected. Yet, in many firms humility is unlikely to be among the highest held cultural norms.

You can foster relevant cultural norms by praising behaviours which are associated with humility. Praise employees when they actively seek feedback, even in a critical situation. Honour people when they acknowledge the strengths of others. And support people who are eager to learn new things. This way, you indicate to others what the cultural norm should be.

Also, highlight employees who are role models. For instance, you can establish a value award with which you honour employees who demonstrate humility. Of course, this also means that you should be a role model yourself. Openly admit when you do not know something, or when you need help and appreciate the contributions of others. Beyond modelling humility, such tiny phrases have been found to empower people around you.

3. Make it easy for people to be humble

People engage in behaviour when they perceive ease in doing so. In other words, when it is easy to do something, then it is more likely that people will also show that behaviour. While showing appreciation for others, and being teachable may not be so difficult, viewing oneself accurately may be trickier; particularly when things go wrong.

So, try to make it easier for people to view themselves accurately. One way of doing so is to provide feedback that is verifiable, predictable, and controllable. Feedback on things that did not work so well can make some people defensive, which hinders learning. When feedback is verifiable, predictable and controllable it is much less likely that it crosses the line in this way, which makes it easier to learn from it.

Also, it may help to use a little trick in asking for feedback: instead of asking for feedback, invite your colleagues to people what their blind spot is. The question here is, “What do other people know about me that I might not realize?” This way, you receive more honest answers, which helps you to view yourself more accurately.

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How To Be Humble (With Examples)

We receive a lot of conflicting messages about humility. We are told that humility is a virtue and warned against becoming too self-absorbed or arrogant. But at the same time, we’re often told about the importance of building confidence . If being humble and confident seems like a contradiction, it might be because humility is a highly misunderstood characteristic.

This article will review the true meaning of humility as well as give tips and examples of ways to show humility without seeming insecure.

What is humility?

How to be humble, examples of being humble, why is being humble important.

Despite the many misconceptions about humility, it is possible to be both humble and confident at the same time. Humility is often confused with having low self-esteem, but this isn’t true. Being humble doesn’t mean having a negative opinion of yourself—it means having an accurate opinion of yourself. [ 1 ][ 2 ] An accurate opinion of yourself is one that includes awareness and acceptance of your strengths , as well as your flaws. [ 1 ]

Humble people tend to have a very good sense of who they are and what they’re good at. They are often confident and self-assured. Their self-esteem isn’t easily threatened by the accomplishments or strengths of other people, so they don’t feel the need to compete, brag, or compare themselves to others. [ 3 ] Instead, they are able to focus more on other people than themselves, which is a key part of most acts of humility. [ 1 ][ 2 ]

Developing humility requires a shift in both your attitude and your actions. Changing your attitude involves adjusting the way you think and feel about others.

Being less judgmental, more open-minded, and more self-aware are all steps in this process. Changing your actions involves things you can do differently to be more humble and modest when interacting with other people. These include listening more, talking less about yourself, and asking for feedback. [ 4 ]

Below are 10 ways to develop a more humble attitude and be more humble and down to earth with others.

1. Recognize your strengths and limitations

Understanding what you’re good at and what you’re not is the first step to developing humility. This always involves an honest and accurate understanding of your strengths and limitations. [ 1 ][ 2 ][ 4 ]

Start this process by conducting an honest assessment of your strengths and limitations. Self-reflection is one way to recognize your strengths and limitations, but it’s also a good idea to get a more objective viewpoint. Consider taking a strengths assessment , reviewing past successes and failures, or considering the input from other people.

2. Listen more than you talk

Humble people know not to make every conversation about themselves, which is why becoming a better listener is an important step to cultivate humility. Showing humility involves listening a lot more than you talk, as well as not always talking about yourself. [ 4 ]

Becoming a better listener takes practice. You can begin by pausing, asking more questions, and showing genuine interest in other people. These strategies help you shift away from a self-focus to an other-focus, which is one of the key characteristics of humility. [ 2 ][ 3 ]

2. Seek and accept both good and bad feedback

Honest feedback from others can help you become more self-aware, and even getting negative feedback provides a chance to practice being humble. Asking for feedback from people you trust to tell you the truth helps to maintain an accurate understanding of what you’re doing well and what you need to improve on. [ 4 ]

When you receive critical or negative feedback, resist the urge to become defensive. For example, don’t argue, give excuses, or attack the other person. Instead, thank them for their honesty and, when necessary, offer a sincere apology. Also, try to use their input to self-reflect on things you can do differently to improve.

3. Keep your mind open to new ideas

An arrogant person believes they’re always right or already know the answer to every question, but someone who’s humble keeps an open mind. To foster humility, be willing to hear out ideas, beliefs, and opinions that differ from your own, and avoid passing judgment on them . [ 3 ] Listen with an open and curious mind. Try to understand what is being said instead of focusing on being right.

When you get new information, use it to revisit your existing beliefs and opinions. Being open-minded and curious is a great way to approach conversations with people who hold different views. It can also help expand your knowledge and strengthen your beliefs by exposing them to new ideas, questions, and views.

4. Own your mistakes and offer sincere apologies

An important part of being humble is being able to admit to yourself and others when you’re wrong or when you’ve made a mistake. Being accountable for your words and actions shows integrity and will earn you the trust and respect of others. Being able to say when you messed up goes a long way towards recovering from a mistake.

Adding a sincere apology is the next key component to being humble. An apology is needed when you’ve made a mistake or one something to offend or hurt someone else. Avoid including excuses, explanations, or an “I’m sorry but…” because your apology may come across as insincere and ineffective.

5. Reveal your faults when appropriate

A humble person doesn’t feel the need to always try to mask or hide their flaws and faults from others. Being humble means being able to let some of your imperfections show and sometimes even openly admitting or talking about them. [ 4 ] No one is good at everything, so revealing your own shortcomings can even lessen the pressure others feel to strive for perfection.

Avoid self-deprecating statements like, “I really suck at …” or “I’m terrible at…” because these can make others feel pressured to praise or console you. Instead, try saying something like, “I really struggle with…” or, “This isn’t my area of expertise.” These are more effective ways to reveal shortcomings that don’t make others feel uncomfortable.

6. Help others shine and celebrate their successes

Humility can involve highlighting and celebrating the talents, strengths, and achievements of other people. People who appear arrogant may be quick to minimize the successes of other people or highlight their own, often because they’re insecure.

Humble and confident people don’t have these same insecurities, which allows them to be truly happy for others when they succeed, instead of feeling threatened by them. Helping others shine by giving shoutouts to people at work, commenting on their strengths, or organizing a celebration for someone are all great ways to foster relationships and humility at the same time.

7. Let your talents speak for themselves

Humble people don’t feel the need to brag about the things they’re good at or what they’ve been able to achieve. In fact, they may rarely mention themselves or their achievements in conversation because they know their hard work will speak for itself.

Break the bad habit of bragging by not talking about yourself or what you’ve accomplished as much. You can still feel proud of your accomplishments, but broadcasting your pride can be a major turn-off, leaving a bad impression on others.

8. Show appreciation for others

Showing appreciation and giving thanks to others is one of the best ways to show humility because it puts a positive focus on others. Humble people tend to be better at showing appreciation for others, which may explain why they tend to have closer, stronger relationships with others. [ 2 ]

Showing appreciation for people can be as simple as saying “Thank you” or “I really appreciated that you…” to a person who has helped you out or worked hard. If you’re a leader at work, giving shoutouts or bonuses to employees who have gone above and beyond are great ways to show appreciation.

9. Admit what you don’t know

Humble people are able to admit the things they don’t know instead of pretending to be the expert on everything. Admitting the limits of your knowledge and expertise is an important way to stay humble at work and also ensures you’re assigned projects that are a good match for your skills.

Admitting what you don’t know can also help you in relationships with friends, family, and significant others as well. For example, saying that you have “no idea how that must have felt” or “can’t imagine what that was like” to a loved one is a great way to support someone who opens up to you. For them, this response feels much more supportive than assuming you know how they feel.

Having examples of being humble can make it easier for people to know ways to show humility. It’s important for people to understand that you can still be confident and assertive while also being humble. In fact, the right displays of humility can help you demonstrate confidence without being rude , cocky, or arrogant.

Here are some examples of showing humility:

Example 1: Humble ways to respond to criticism

Getting negative feedback can be difficult and uncomfortable, and it’s hard for people not to get defensive. This is especially true if you’re a person who takes a lot of pride in your work and tries really hard to do things well. Still, being humble is the best way to respond to negative or critical feedback. Here are some examples of humble ways to respond to negative feedback at a job:

• Validate their concerns: One way to humbly accept criticism is to say something like, “I completely understand your concerns” or, “I totally get how it could have come across that way” to prove you hear and understand their concerns.
• Offer a sincere apology: It’s sometimes necessary to offer an apology, especially if you made a mistake, offended someone, or overlooked something important. When this has happened, try saying something like, “I’m so sorry that I didn’t consider that,” “I feel terribly about how this affected you,” or just, “I messed up, and I’m really sorry,”
• Commit to improvement : Another way to accept critical feedback humbly is to say something like, “I appreciate this feedback and will use it to do better” or “I really want to make things right and would appreciate any advice you have on how to start.” These are ways to show that you not only accept their feedback but will also use it to make changes and improvements.

Example 2: Humble ways to respond to praise

One of the hardest times to be humble is when you’re getting praised or recognized for your achievements or hard work. While it’s important to acknowledge your achievements and appreciate the recognition you receive for them, it’s also important to be humble in these moments. Here are some examples of ways to be humble when getting praised or recognized:

• Share the spotlight: Share some of the credit and praise with others by saying something like, “This would not have been possible without your help” or, “You’ve been a huge support to me and are a big part of the reason I was able to pull this off.”
• Express genuine Gratitude : Gratitude is a great way to show humility. Consider saying something like: “Thank you all so much for this,” or “It means so much that you have all come today to celebrate with me.”
• Downplay excessive praise : When you’re getting high praises, one way to be humble is to downplay the praise by saying something like, “You’re too kind” or, “My contribution to this was minimal compared to others’, but thank you.”

Example 3: Humble ways to talk about your strengths

There are definitely times when it is appropriate and even expected to talk about yourself and highlight your strengths. For example, interviewing for a job or promotion will require some self-promotion on your part. In these situations, there are ways to talk about your strengths without coming off as arrogant. Here are ways to humbly highlight your strengths:

• Reference real-life feedback from others: “I’ve received a lot of feedback from my colleagues that I am a good leader, and people often seek me out for support and advice.”
• Tell the backstory of the strength: “I’ve invested a lot of my personal time and energy into expanding my knowledge of this topic, and because of this, I feel really confident that I could bring a lot to the table.”
• Tie your strengths to your core values: “I’m always striving to learn and improve as a boss and leader, and one of the areas I’ve focused the most on is on cultivating the talents and skills of those on my team. I think I’ve gotten really good at recognizing people’s talents and helping them further develop them.”

Example 4: Humble ways to interact online

It can be hard to talk to people online , especially when you’re using apps or social media to make an impression, find friends or connect with people. Too often, people feel pressured to create an online version of themselves that’s perfectly crafted, sometimes even becoming unrecognizable to their real-life self. Humility is the key to avoiding these perfection traps and presenting an accurate, relatable, and humble version of yourself online.

Here are some keys on how to be humble online and on social media and dating or friend apps:

• Use pictures that look like you: Avoid the annoying habit of constantly posting selfies or of using filters that always make you look “picture perfect.” Settle on a profile pic that actually looks like you.
• Don’t use social media to prove you’re a good person: Don’t overuse “virtue signals” online to make others think you’re a good person (e.g., broadcasting your good deeds to your followers) and avoid comparing or competing with others online.
• Present a realistic version of yourself online: Provide an honest and balanced view of yourself and the parts of your life you choose to share on apps and social media sites (e.g., don’t just list your amazing qualities or exaggerate to look good, and do include some of your shortcomings or struggles).
• Don’t use it for the likes and follows: Use social media and dating and friend apps for their intended purpose. Use them to relate and connect with others, instead of relying on them to feel good about yourself, get attention, or boost your mood.

Example 5: Humble ways to make a good first impression

When you’re on a first date, a job interview, or hanging out for the first time with someone, it’s normal to want to make a good impression. This may cause you to boast, brag, or try too hard to form a good impression or get someone to like you. The problem is that these approaches normally backfire. Being more humble is actually the secret to attracting friends and being more likable. [ 1 ][ 2 ][ 3 ]

Here are some ways to use humility to make a good first impression:

• Focus more on being kind than being cool : Being observant and considerate of others is more likely to leave a good impression than focusing on seeming cool. For example, if you’re on a first date and someone looks cold, offer them your jacket or ask if they want to move indoors.
• Get them talking more about themselves: Showing interest in others is the key to making a good impression without making the conversation about yourself. Ask questions, show interest, and figure out what topics they enjoy discussing. Wait to talk about yourself until they ask you questions or invite you to share something about yourself.
• Talk more about who you are and less about what you have or do : One common mistake that people make when they’re trying to make a good impression is to talk too much about what they do or have. For example, talking all about your job, your five cars, or your many degrees can come off as bragging. Also, it doesn’t tell the person much about who you are . To avoid this, focus conversations more on the things you’re interested in or care about and less on things you do or have.

Humility matters because it is a positive characteristic that people seek out in leaders, friends, and significant others. [ 5 ] A humble attitude can help you get ahead in all areas of life. It also makes it easier to build close relationships with people. Some of the proven benefits of being more humble include: [ 2 ][ 3 ]

• Ups your appeal and helps you attract friends and romantic partners
• Can help you become more approachable and less intimidating to others
• Helps you stand out as a capable leader at work or in your career
• Can motivate you to work towards personal growth and self-improvement
• It can make people less defensive and more likely to open up
• Can make it easier to forgive other people after conflicts or disagreements
• Promotes better physical and emotional wellbeing and health
• Protects relationships and helps to maintain a strong support network

Final thoughts

• Tangney, J. P. (2000). Humility: Theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and directions for future research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 19 (1), 70-82.
• Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., & Witvliet, C. vanOyen. (2019). Humility . Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28 (5), 463–468.
• Chancellor, J., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2013). Humble beginnings: Current trends, state perspectives, and hallmarks of humility. Social and Personality Psychology Compass , 7 (11), 819-833.
• Your Route To The Top: How To Be Humble. Management Today [serial online]. 2008:15.
• Exline, J. J., & Geyer, A. L. (2004). Perceptions of humility: A preliminary study. Self and Identity , 3 (2), 95-114.

Hailey Shafir is a licensed mental health counselor, licensed addiction specialist, and clinical supervisor working out of Raleigh, NC. She has a Masters in Counseling from NC State University, and has extensive professional experience in counseling, program development, and clinical supervision. Read more .

How To Be More Outgoing (If You’re Not the Social Type)

17 Tips to Improve Your People Skills (With Examples)

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How to Stop Being Quiet (When You’re Stuck in Your Head)

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Do People Ignore You? Reasons Why & What to Do

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The Power of Intellectual Humility

What does it mean to be intellectually humble when it counts.

Posted April 13, 2022 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

I enjoy talking to strangers when I’m travelling. This might be because I’m a psychologist, or because I always try to look for the best in people, or perhaps it’s a reflection of the fact that a dear family friend christened me “Tigger” when I was a child because of my apparently rampant extraversion .

Regardless, whether it’s in a cab, on a plane, or at a party, I’m likely to be the one happily chatting away with people I’ve never met before and will perhaps never see again. I’ve received primers on the history of tobacco in North Carolina, been subjected to multiple attempts at conversion by practitioners of various religions, discussed the question of whether all languages are in fact governed by universal laws, and been complimented as apparently “one of the good ones” (I try not to overthink that one now).

I take particular joy when strangers ask me what I do for a living. I always give them the same answer: I study happiness . They usually find this hilarious and tell me either that it suits my personality (a compliment?) or ask me what the keys to happiness are (I usually go with having close relationships, or not sweating the small stuff).

However, if I’m being honest, I’m not telling them the whole truth about what I study, which is how we can live good lives. That is—how we can live lives of happiness, meaning, and purpose by successfully overcoming the challenges, failures, and adversity that are defining features of our lives, and how can we successfully develop into the best version of ourselves.

The good life is not simply about feeling happy, but also doing things of value, feeling some control over your life, and figuring out what’s true about our world. These days, I tend to think that perhaps the most important key to living well is the ability to see and understand both yourself and the world for what it really is. This means having: a) an accurate sense of oneself, and b) insight into what we can and cannot control.

This is much harder than you’d think. We as individuals routinely believe that we’re better than average on pretty much any conceivable trait or ability. Many of us who grew up in cultural settings that prioritize individual choice and action further believe that we are masters of our universe and that we can bend our environment to meet our desires. This belief typically decreases as we age and are subjected to multiple life lessons that teach us the importance of luck in our lives.

Seeing the world for what it really is is a form of wisdom . But it turns out that being wise is very hard. We each have our own biases (towards our own preferred in-groups, our families, our countries, our ideological commitments) that often shield us from the truth. Are there traits of character that we can develop to ensure that we understand the world the way it is?

I think intellectual humility may be one such trait. Being intellectually humble involves understanding your cognitive limitations—in simpler terms, it means acknowledging that you could be wrong about something. If you’re not open to acknowledging that you could be wrong, you can’t learn anything new about the world; you’re not going to be able to change your beliefs and grow.

As a human being, you probably intuit that this is a very hard thing to do.

It turns out that there is some evidence that backs up this intuition . In a study my colleagues and I at Wake Forest University conducted in 2017, we asked college students twice a day for three weeks if they had exhibited the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors characteristic of intellectual humility in an argument with someone over the previous twelve hours. The students then rated the extent to which they sought out reasons for why their current opinions could be wrong and used new information to reevaluate their existing beliefs. It turns out that they were more likely to manifest humility in situations where they saw the person they were arguing with as moral and therefore trustworthy.

Conversely, they were less likely to deploy humility in situations where they found the interaction to be disagreeable. Interestingly, the content of the disagreement— morality , facts, personal opinions—didn’t have an impact on the degree of intellectual humility. More important was what the speaker thought of their interlocutor.

What does it mean to be intellectually humble when it counts? I don’t know, to be honest (See what I did there?). But perhaps one way forward is to be mindful of how easily we can slip into defensiveness when we get into arguments, given that we all too easily see critiques of our understanding as critiques of our character. If we can remind ourselves of this tendency, perhaps we can find a way to remind ourselves that our interlocutors are not bad people, and that we can disagree without being disagreeable. This is a hard task, especially in the current political climate, as engaging with people we disagree with in this manner takes trust, curiosity, and open-mindedness.

I’ve learned a lot from my fellow passengers on my travels—not only new insights in areas outside my expertise, but also how other Americans outside a university setting understand and approach their world. These conversations have not always been easy, and I have confronted my limits at times. For example, while I think I generally handle comments that are arguably prejudiced with some degree of grace, I have recently found debating with anti-vaxxers to be an impossible task. Understanding the world involves understanding the perspectives that others bring to it, and this requires both patience and skill that can sometimes be difficult to muster.

One key challenge, I think, is remaining intellectually humble and open-minded as you grow older and develop (reasonably justifiable) beliefs about your own competence and abilities. For example, as a psychologist with what I believe to be a deep understanding of the research on well-being and personality, as well as a broader appreciation of the scientific method and scientific thinking, I unconsciously approach most conversations that touch on these topics with an “expert” mindset. However, Socrates taught us many years ago that “knowing oneself” involved interrogating one’s claims to knowledge, and that true knowledge may in fact involve a deep recognition of one’s ignorance.

In a way, gaining knowledge also involves dealing with the curse of knowledge—that complacent feeling that you’ve got it all figured out. In academia, I’ve found that increasing seniority is typically met with deference and occasionally (unwarranted) veneration. As the classicist Edith Hall noted in a 2019 talk, remaining critical of one’s own ideas and open-minded to others’ views in such a context takes some pretty significant—and constant—effort.

Both our psychology and our contexts make admitting what we don’t know very hard. We care about fitting in with family and friends, maintaining our ideological commitments, and feeling good about ourselves, all of which make facing up to the truth challenging. But I think we are also creatures that care about the truth. Caring about the truth involves being vulnerable about what we don’t know and inhabiting such a state can be unnerving. However, I think that taking such chances in our daily lives is key to achieving a rich and fulfilling life.

This essay is reprinted from the book Radical Humility , published by Belt Publishing, and edited by Rebekah Modrak and Jamie Vander Broek.

Eranda Jayawickreme, Ph.D. , is the Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology and Senior Research Fellow at the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University.

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Importance Of Humility In Professional Life

Famous British poet Alfred Tennyson described humility as “the highest virtue, the mother of them all”. Philosophers, great thinkers, sociologists,…

Famous British poet Alfred Tennyson described humility as “the highest virtue, the mother of them all”.

Philosophers, great thinkers, sociologists, and preachers across regions and religions have always placed emphasis on humility as a virtue. As children, we were taught about the importance of having humility and kindness.

Indeed, being humble and kind never goes unnoticed and can have many long-term benefits.

The meaning of humility

Humility is the absence of pride and the ability to be down-to-earth and modest under all circumstances. Humility is exhibited by respectful behavior towards others. A humble person doesn’t think they are superior to others and is devoid of arrogance and self-praise.

Also, a humble person won’t seek favors in return for their support. Helping others and showing compassion comes naturally to them.

To be humble is also to be compassionate.

Let’s look at an example.

Rajiv, a manager in a hotel, is extremely popular at work. All his co-workers, from the upper management to the housekeeping staff, speak highly of him. He is punctual and always interacts with everyone with compassion and respect. Whether it is a colleague needing extra help with his work, personal advice, or new initiatives, Rajiv is fondly regarded as the go-to person.

At the same time, he is absolutely sincere about his professional responsibilities. He delivers consistently and proactively contributes to the organization’s growth. Rajiv’s humility has been instrumental in his success. His popularity can be attributed to his humility, and his humility is not in anticipation of favors from the people he helps, but is a way of life for him.

Another key aspect of being humble is the lack of prejudice in action. A humble person will help everyone, irrespective of whether the person is a close relation or a complete stranger. For instance, a humble person would allow an old woman standing behind them in a queue to proceed before them even though she may be a complete stranger.

Why does humility matter?

Humility, kindness, or gentle behavior are traits that are often considered old-fashioned. The hustle and bustle of our daily lives make us forget about these virtues.

But humility is relevant even today.

People don’t accord due importance to humility these days simply because the modern lifestyle doesn’t really instill trust among people. The common advice is to be careful and keep an eye on your rivals. This point of view supports the theory that one has to adopt a “no-ground-conceded” approach in dealing with others.

Self-praise and a stubborn attitude are commonly seen as essential to achieving life goals. All this is in contrast with the principle of humility. However, having humility doesn’t mean being timid or letting others trample over you. Being humble doesn’t imply that you become subservient or fail to assert yourself when needed.

In simpler terms, humility is giving respect and being dignified in your social behavior.

Let’s look at another example.

John is a brilliant student. His teachers, fellow students, and neighbors admire him for his helping nature and soft-spoken manners.

However, John is constantly bullied at school and at the local playground by Robin and his friends. They perceive John’s politeness and lack of aggression to be his weaknesses. Do you think John is a good example of humility and compassion?

No. Humility doesn’t discourage you from standing up for yourself or others who are being wronged. It is just a calm and objective way of expressing yourself without hostility.

A humble person can be assertive wherever needed. You don’t necessarily need to shout, shove, or swear to communicate your position on any matter. By being humble, you are merely acknowledging other people’s rights and allowing them to put their points of view across.

The importance of humility

Just because humility is primarily about being kind, generous, and polite, it is grossly under-rated in modern society. However, today’s strife-torn world and high-paced social and corporate lives can benefit the most from humility.

Being humble makes you more likeable and trustworthy, and it is conducive to learning. These are also traits that great personalities and leaders display. Legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela had once said, “Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”

Thus, humility has some profoundly transformational benefits that lead to great personal success and growth. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits:

In sport, some players perform their best at crucial junctures. The ability to turn a game on its head by displaying sheer brilliance are often hallmarks of a great player.

Ronaldo’s bicycle kicks, Roger Federer’s longevity, or Rahul Dravid’s wall-like defense are all examples of sporting brilliance.

Similarly, some business leaders are adept at innovation and cracking deals. Have you ever wondered what makes them do all this with such consistency?

The answer lies in their confidence. They believe in their ability to carry out their plans.

Confidence is the key to success. It helps you improve your performance, alleviate pressure, and stay focused. However, there is a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. When someone starts believing that she is the most powerful, capable, and intelligent person around, complacency begins to take over.

In other words, when one loses humility, she becomes overconfident and eventually an undesirable person. Hence, confidence and humility go hand-in-hand; they are not opposing traits.

By being ready to admit that you can be wrong at times, you don’t lose anything. Rather, you earn the trust of others and empower them to provide valuable inputs. This way you are not only able to get feedback which can help you become better at what you do but can also make others feel valued at the same time.

Superior self-regulation

Humble people are not only more polite and considerate, but they also have stronger self-control as they know what they are doing at all times.

A humble person focuses on achieving personal goals and organizational targets,. Humility makes people better learners and thinkers. Humble people are capable of making decisions with greater agility and accuracy than others.

A humble person will not give in to the pressure. She will analyze the circumstances and focus on finding the best way forward for herself and others. Such an approach makes humble people know the extent of their capabilities and act accordingly.

Helpful nature

A humble person is more likely to help others. Humble people do not cultivate an ego or remain guarded in their behavior. They are better team players. For them, success is not just about self-growth, but the growth of others as well.

Factors like social status, financial wellness, physical strength, or appearance don’t affect their behavior with others. They remain down-to-earth, modest, polite, and calm, even when they achieve great things in life.

Being rich, strong, or supremely talented are not the actual traits that make a person popular among colleagues, family, friends, and acquaintances. What makes someone stand out is their humility. A humble person comes across as a doer. They don’t like to be boastful about their abilities and instead keep a low profile.

This makes the person more relatable and reliable. They earn the trust and respect of their peers by virtue of their behavior and are not entitled.

Humility or being humble is a great virtue but is often misunderstood and mistaken to be a weakness.

Humility amplifies certain qualities. It brings to the fore abilities such as reliability, magnanimity, and generosity. It makes you kind and compassionate and helps in improving your social standing.

Harappa Education’s courses continuously endeavor to improve your interpersonal skills at the workplace to ensure your all-round growth. The Practicing Excellence  course is focused on employees’ personal growth.

It will not only make you a highly respected and desirable person but will also contribute tremendously to your self-awareness and 360-degree growth.

Discover our Harappa Diaries section to know more about topics related to the Lead habit such as Anger Management and the Meaning of Resilience .

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The importance of being humble, be nice, and don't expect anything in return..

Being humble in life is important, and there has been a debate recently about what it means to be humble.

Being humble means that you are not boastful or arrogant and that you do not put yourself at a higher position than anyone else. Why is it important to be humble? Usually, the most humble people are also the most generous. Humble people usually don't expect things from other people, but give and love without any expectation of something in return. It is important to be humble because in most situations it is the right thing to do.

When someone is kind to you or does something for you, and they do it out of the kindness of their heart, you show gratitude, right? Well, say someone was simply doing that nice thing for you because they would get gratitude in return? That kind of defeats the purpose of doing a nie thing. People do nice things for each other because they are nice things to do; not because it gives them power. At least that's the way it should be.

Being humble means you do things out of the kindness of your heart, without the expectation of anything in return; even gratitude. That can be a bitter pill to swallow for some people. I hear the "why would I do that if I'm not getting anything out of it" argument all the time. My response is always "because it's called being a decent human being maybe?" Why wouldn't you open the door for someone if their arms are full of boxes, or let someone who has less groceries than you check out first? Isn't that just common sense? Or more simply, just good manners? Say one of your best friends is $5 short on their rent, or their grocery bill? Wouldn't you spot them that $5? What if it was a complete stranger in front of you at the grocery store? Being generous is not a bad thing, and being humble about your generosity is how it supposed to be.

Now, not all people can be this generous all the time, and that's perfectly fine. But not holding the door for someone just because they aren't smiling at you, is just completely rude. Usually, it's the little things that will make someone's day anyway. You don't have to move mountains or part seas. All you have to do is hold the d*** door for someone. Why is it so hard to be nice and humble?

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Waitlisted for a college class here's what to do, dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations..

Whether you met your new love interest online , through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

1. What do you do for a living?

What someone does for a living can tell a lot about who they are and what they're interested in! Their career reveals a lot more about them than just where they spend their time to make some money.

2. What's your favorite color?

OK, I get it, this seems like something you would ask a Kindergarten class, but I feel like it's always good to know someone's favorite color . You could always send them that Snapchat featuring you in that cute shirt you have that just so happens to be in their favorite color!

3. Do you have any siblings?

This one is actually super important because it's totally true that people grow up with different roles and responsibilities based on where they fall in the order. You can tell a lot about someone just based on this seemingly simple question.

4. What's your favorite television show?

OK, maybe this isn't a super important question, but you have to know ASAP if you can quote Michael Scott or not. If not, he probably isn't the one. Sorry, girl.

5. When is your birthday?

You can then proceed to do the thing that every girl does without admitting it and see how compatible your zodiacs are.

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

If you're like me, you have big goals that you want to reach someday, and you want a man behind you who also has big goals and understands what it's like to chase after a dream. If his biggest goal is to see how quickly he can binge-watch " Grey's Anatomy " on Netflix , you may want to move on.

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

This is a go-to for an insight into their personality. Based on how they answer, you can tell if they're goofy, serious, or somewhere in between.

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

For some, this may be a hard question if it involves a family member or friend who has since passed away . For others, it may revolve around a tradition that no longer happens. The answers to this question are almost endless!

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

We all have parts of our lives and stories that we wish we could change. It's human nature to make mistakes. This question is a little bit more personal but can really build up the trust level.

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

I mean, duh! If you're a dog person, and he is a cat person, it's not going to work out.

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

Personally, I am a Christian, and as a result, I want to be with someone who shares those same values. I know some people will argue that this question is too much in the talking stage , but why go beyond the talking stage if your personal values will never line up?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Even homebodies have a must visit place on their bucket list !

13. What is your ideal date night?

Hey, if you're going to go for it... go for it!

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

For me, it was hands-down Nick Jonas . This is always a fun question to ask!

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

Let's be real, if you put a label on it, you're not going to see your significant other at their best 24/7.

16. Do you have any tattoos?

This can lead to some really good conversations, especially if they have a tattoo that has a lot of meaning to them!

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

It's always interesting to see if how the person you're talking to views their personal traits lines ups with the vibes you're getting.

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

This question can go multiple different directions, and it could also be a launching pad for other conversations.

19. What's the best gift you have ever received? 

Admittedly, I have asked this question to friends as well, but it's neat to see what people value.

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

Work hard, play hard, right?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

This is always interesting because no matter how compatible your personalities may be, if one of you wants to be serious and the other is looking for something casual, it's just not going to work.

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Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in challah bread or easter bread.

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

A few weeks ago, I was given a loaf of bread called Challah (pronounced like holla), and upon my first bite, I realized it tasted just like Easter Bread. It was so delicious that I just had to make some of my own, which I did.

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 1 cup lukewarm water 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 2 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for the egg wash) 1/4 cup neutral-flavored vegetable oil

Instructions

• Combine yeast and a pinch of sugar in small bowl with the water and stir until you see a frothy layer across the top.
• Whisk together 4 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and add in eggs, egg yolk, and oil. Whisk these together to form a slurry, pulling in a little flour from the sides of the bowl.
• Pour the yeast mixture over the egg slurry and mix until difficult to move.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes. If the dough seems very sticky, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it feels tacky, but no longer like bubblegum. The dough has finished kneading when it is soft, smooth, and holds a ball-shape.
• Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place somewhere warm. Let the dough rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Separate the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a long rope roughly 1-inch thick and 16 inches long.
• Gather the ropes and squeeze them together at the very top. Braid the pieces in the pattern of over, under, and over again. Pinch the pieces together again at the bottom.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment and lift the loaf on top. Sprinkle the loaf with a little flour and drape it with a clean dishcloth. Place the pan somewhere warm and away from drafts and let it rise until puffed and pillowy, about an hour.
• Heat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the reserved egg white with a tablespoon of water and brush it all over the challah. Be sure to get in the cracks and down the sides of the loaf.
• Slide the challah on its baking sheet into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. The challah is done when it is deeply browned.

I kept wondering how these two breads could be so similar in taste. So I decided to look up a recipe for Easter Bread to make a comparison. The two are almost exactly the same! These recipes are similar because they come from religious backgrounds. The Jewish Challah bread is based on kosher dietary laws. The Christian Easter Bread comes from the Jewish tradition but was modified over time because they did not follow kosher dietary laws.

A recipe for Easter bread is as follows:

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 2/3 cup milk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup white granulated sugar 2 tbs butter 2 large eggs 2 tbs melted butter 1 tsp salt

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
• Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Both of these recipes are really easy to make. While you might need to have a day set aside for this activity, you can do things while the dough is rising or in the oven. After only a few hours, you have a delicious loaf of bread that you made from scratch, so the time and effort is really worth it!

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer..

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake , have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart , no matter how dirty the water may look.

Every year when summer rolls back around, you can't wait to fire up the boat and get back out there. Here is a list of things you can probably identify with as a fellow lake-goer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

It's your place of escape, where you can leave everything else behind and just enjoy the beautiful summer day. No matter what kind of week you had, being able to come and relax without having to worry about anything else is the best therapy there is. After all, there's nothing better than a day of hanging out in the hot sun, telling old funny stories and listening to your favorite music.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

Whether you want to just hang out and float or go walk around on a beach, you know the best spots. These often have to be based on the people you're with, given that some "party coves" can get a little too crazy for little kids on board. I still have vivid memories from when I was six that scared me when I saw the things drunk girls would do for beads.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

When there's a long line of trucks waiting to dump their boats in the water, there's always that one clueless guy who can't get it right, and takes 5 attempts and holds up the line. No one likes that guy. One time my dad got so fed up with a guy who was taking too long that he actually got out of the car and asked this guy if he could just do it for him. So he got into the guy's car, threw it in reverse, and got it backed in on the first try. True story.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

Similar to the "jeep wave," almost everyone waves to other boats passing by. It's just what you do, and is seen as a normal thing by everyone.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Alcohol seems to be a big part of the lake experience, but other drinks are squeezed into the room remaining in the cooler for the kids, not to mention the wide assortment of chips and other foods in the snack bag.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

There's nothing worse than floating in the water, all settled in and minding your business, when some idiot barrels through. Now your anchor is loose, and you're left jostled by the waves when it was nice and perfectly still before. This annoyance is typically answered by someone yelling some choice words to them that are probably accompanied by a middle finger in the air.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

It's the lake, and some social expectations are a little different here, if not lowered quite a bit. When you have to go, you just go, and it's no big deal to anyone because they do it too.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

The number of anchors you go through as a boat owner is likely a number that can be counted on two hands. Every once in a while, it gets stuck on something on the bottom of the lake, and the only way to fix the problem is to cut the rope, and you have to replace it.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

If you're the typical lake-goer, you likely might have an average-sized boat that you're perfectly happy with. However, that doesn't mean you don't stop and stare at the fast boats that loudly speed by, or at the obnoxiously huge yachts that pass.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

You've learned this the hard way, coming back from a day in the water and seeing the flowers on your bathing suit that were once white, are now a nice brownish hue.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

If the driver knows how to give you a good ride, or just wants to specifically throw you off, you know you're done when you're speeding up and heading straight for a big wave. Suddenly you're airborne, knowing you're about to completely wipe out, and you eat pure wake. Then you get back on and do it all again.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

One of the many nice things about the life at the lake is that everybody cares about everything a little less. Rolling up to the place wearing only your swimsuit, a cover-up, and flip flops, you fit right in. After a long day when you're sunburned, a little buzzed, and hungry, you're served without any hesitation.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Every once in a while you're hit with technical difficulties, no matter what type of watercraft you have. This is one of the most annoying setbacks when you're looking forward to just having a carefree day on the water, but it's bound to happen. This is just one of the joys that come along with being a boat owner.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

One of the many interesting things that make up the lake culture is the fact that many people name their boats. They can range from basic to funny, but they are unique to each and every owner, and often have interesting and clever meanings behind them.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Summer is your all-time favorite season, mostly because it's spent at the lake. Whether you're floating in the cool water under the sun, or taking a boat ride as the sun sets, you don't have a care in the world at that moment . The people that don't understand have probably never experienced it, but it's what keeps you coming back every year.

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why i chose a small school over a big university..

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin ." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

There are so many different kinds of people that each bring something really special to contribute to the school which makes it so unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

I am a student that my professors know about and I like knowing that my professors can watch my progress.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

I like feeling like I can make a difference on my campus.

4. I really do feel like it is my home away from home.

It isn't just my school. It is absolutely my home away from home. I feel so comfortable there and it was as hard of an adjustment as I had thought it would be.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

I feel like they will do anything to help students succeed. I can always go to my professors. I like knowing that I have someone looking out for me.

6. The incredible people I've met

The people I have met at my school, even after my first year, have made such a huge impact on me. I know that these are people that I will stay friends with long after college is done.

7. Opportunities

My school offers so many different opportunities to get involved in things around campus. Even writing for the Odyssey was an opportunity offered to me by my school and I decided to challenge myself by writing an article. Turns out, I really enjoy writing. I might not have had this opportunity at a bigger school.

8. Students want to learn

I feel as though I am not just learning inside the classroom at my school. I am learning outside the classroom to from my fellow classmates who want to engage about the things we have learned.

9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to

I wasn't sure if being in a sorority was something I was interested in but when I met the amazing people in the sorority and how inclusive it was, I knew that it was going to be a good thing for me. The people I've met in my sorority have been so amazing.

10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

Because of the smaller class sizes, there is more flexibility in the way the class is taught. This was helpful because I was able to try out different ways of learning and figure out which way I learn best.

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Essay on Humility

Students are often asked to write an essay on Humility in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Humility

What is humility.

Humility is when someone knows their strengths and weaknesses and doesn’t act better than others. It’s like being a team player in sports. A humble person is kind and doesn’t brag about what they can do. They treat everyone the same, whether that person is a teacher or a student.

Why Humility Matters

Being humble is important because it helps us learn and grow. When we’re humble, we can listen to others and understand that we don’t know everything. This makes us better friends and students because we’re open to new ideas and help.

Showing Humility

To show humility, you can say “thank you” when someone helps you and admit when you make mistakes. It’s also being happy for others when they do well. Humble people don’t need to be the center of attention; they’re okay with letting others shine too.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Humility
• Speech on Humility

250 Words Essay on Humility

Understanding humility.

Humility is like a special power that does not make a lot of noise but can be felt by everyone. It means you do not brag about what you can do or what you have. Instead, you stay quiet about your talents and let your actions speak for you. People who are humble often think about others before themselves.

Why Being Humble is Good

When you are humble, you are kind to others and you do not act as if you are better than anyone else. This makes people feel good around you and they may want to be your friend. Also, when you make a mistake, being humble helps you to say sorry and learn from it.

Humility at School

At school, humility can help you work well with other students. If you are good at a subject, instead of showing off, you can help your classmates. This way, everyone can do better and feel happy about learning.

How to Practice Humility

To practice humility, you can start by listening more than you talk. When someone else is speaking, give them your full attention. Also, be thankful for what you have and help others without expecting anything back.

In conclusion, humility is not about hiding what you are good at. It is about being kind, listening, and helping others. When you are humble, you make the world a nicer place for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Humility

Humility is a quality that shows you don’t think you are better than other people. It’s when you understand your own strengths and weaknesses, and you don’t act as if you are more important than others. A humble person is someone who listens more than they speak and who respects other people’s views and feelings.

Being humble is important because it helps us get along with others. When someone is not full of themselves, people enjoy being around them more. Humble people are often seen as kind, and they make friends easily because they treat everyone the same, no matter who they are. This quality is like a magnet that draws people together and builds trust.

In school, humility is very useful. A student who is humble does not show off when they get good grades. Instead, they might help others who are struggling. Humble students also are not afraid to ask for help when they don’t understand something. They know that asking questions is a way to learn, not a sign of weakness.

Humility in Leaders

Good leaders are often humble. They understand that they don’t have all the answers and that they need their team to succeed. Humble leaders give credit to others for their success and take responsibility when things go wrong. This makes people want to work hard for them and share their best ideas.

You can practice humility every day. Try to listen more than you talk. When you do something well, enjoy it but don’t brag. Remember to say “thank you” and “please,” and admit when you make a mistake. Also, try to learn about others and appreciate what makes them special.

Challenges of Being Humble

Sometimes, it’s hard to stay humble. You might feel like you want others to see how great you are. Or, you might be scared that if you don’t talk about your achievements, no one will notice them. But remember, true humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.

The Rewards of Humility

When you’re humble, you open yourself up to a world of learning and new friendships. People trust and respect you more. You feel good about yourself not because you’re better than anyone else, but because you know you’re doing your best to be a good person. And in the end, that’s what really matters.

Humility is a powerful quality. It might seem simple, but it can change the way you see the world and how the world sees you. It’s not about hiding your talents or achievements; it’s about being kind, respectful, and always ready to learn something new. Remember, no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn, and no one person is the best at everything. That’s the heart of humility.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Nuclear Energy Bane Or Boon
• Essay on Hunting Animals
• Essay on Hurricane

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Intellectual humility: the importance of knowing you might be wrong

Why it’s so hard to see our own ignorance, and what to do about it.

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Julia Rohrer wants to create a radical new culture for social scientists. A personality psychologist at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Rohrer is trying to get her peers to publicly, willingly admit it when they are wrong.

To do this, she, along with some colleagues, started up something called the Loss of Confidence Project. It’s designed to be an academic safe space for researchers to declare for all to see that they no longer believe in the accuracy of one of their previous findings. The effort recently yielded a paper that includes six admissions of no confidence. And it’s accepting submissions until January 31 .

“I do think it’s a cultural issue that people are not willing to admit mistakes,” Rohrer says. “Our broader goal is to gently nudge the whole scientific system and psychology toward a different culture,” where it’s okay, normalized, and expected for researchers to admit past mistakes and not get penalized for it.

The project is timely because a large number of scientific findings have been disproven, or become more doubtful, in recent years. One high-profile effort to retest 100 psychological experiments found only 40 percent replicated with more rigorous methods. It’s been a painful period for social scientists, who’ve had to deal with failed replications of classic studies and realize their research practices are often weak.

It’s been fascinating to watch scientists struggle to make their institutions more humble. And I believe there’s an important and underappreciated virtue embedded in this process.

For the past few months, I’ve been talking to many scholars about intellectual humility, the characteristic that allows for admission of wrongness.

I’ve come to appreciate what a crucial tool it is for learning, especially in an increasingly interconnected and complicated world. As technology makes it easier to lie and spread false information incredibly quickly , we need intellectually humble, curious people.

I’ve also realized how difficult it is to foster intellectual humility. In my reporting on this, I’ve learned there are three main challenges on the path to humility:

• In order for us to acquire more intellectual humility, we all, even the smartest among us, need to better appreciate our cognitive blind spots. Our minds are more imperfect and imprecise than we’d often like to admit. Our ignorance can be invisible.
• Even when we overcome that immense challenge and figure out our errors, we need to remember we won’t necessarily be punished for saying, “I was wrong.” And we need to be braver about saying it. We need a culture that celebrates those words.
• We’ll never achieve perfect intellectual humility. So we need to choose our convictions thoughtfully.

This is all to say: Intellectual humility isn’t easy. But damn, it’s a virtue worth striving for, and failing for, in this new year.

Intellectual humility, explained

Intellectual humility is simply “the recognition that the things you believe in might in fact be wrong,” as Mark Leary , a social and personality psychologist at Duke University, tells me.

But don’t confuse it with overall humility or bashfulness. It’s not about being a pushover; it’s not about lacking confidence, or self-esteem. The intellectually humble don’t cave every time their thoughts are challenged.

Instead, it’s a method of thinking. It’s about entertaining the possibility that you may be wrong and being open to learning from the experience of others. Intellectual humility is about being actively curious about your blind spots. One illustration is in the ideal of the scientific method, where a scientist actively works against her own hypothesis, attempting to rule out any other alternative explanations for a phenomenon before settling on a conclusion. It’s about asking: What am I missing here?

It doesn’t require a high IQ or a particular skill set. It does, however, require making a habit of thinking about your limits, which can be painful. “It’s a process of monitoring your own confidence,” Leary says.

This idea is older than social psychology. Philosophers from the earliest days have grappled with the limits of human knowledge. Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century French philosopher credited with inventing the essay, wrote that “the plague of man is boasting of his knowledge.”

Social psychologists have learned that humility is associated with other valuable character traits: People who score higher on intellectual humility questionnaires are more open to hearing opposing views . They more readily seek out information that conflicts with their worldview. They pay more attention to evidence and have a stronger self-awareness when they answer a question incorrectly.

When you ask the intellectually arrogant if they’ve heard of bogus historical events like “Hamrick’s Rebellion,” they’ll say, “Sure.” The intellectually humble are less likely to do so. Studies have found that cognitive reflection — i.e., analytic thinking — is correlated with being better able to discern fake news stories from real ones. These studies haven’t looked at intellectual humility per se, but it’s plausible there’s an overlap.

Most important of all, the intellectually humble are more likely to admit it when they are wrong. When we admit we’re wrong, we can grow closer to the truth.

The world needs more wonder

The Unexplainable newsletter guides you through the most fascinating, unanswered questions in science — and the mind-bending ways scientists are trying to answer them. Sign up today .

One reason I’ve been thinking about the virtue of humility recently is because our president, Donald Trump, is one of the least humble people on the planet.

It was Trump who said on the night of his nomination, “I alone can fix it,” with the “it” being our entire political system. It was Trump who once said, “ I have one of the great memories of all time .” More recently, Trump told the Associated Press, “I have a natural instinct for science,” in dodging a question on climate change.

A frustration I feel about Trump and the era of history he represents is that his pride and his success — he is among the most powerful people on earth — seem to be related. He exemplifies how our society rewards confidence and bluster, not truthfulness.

Yet we’ve also seen some very high-profile examples lately of how overconfident leadership can be ruinous for companies. Look at what happened to Theranos, a company that promised to change the way blood samples are drawn. It was all hype, all bluster, and it collapsed. Or consider Enron’s overconfident executives, who were often hailed for their intellectual brilliance — they ran the company into the ground with risky, suspect financial decisions.

The problem with arrogance is that the truth always catches up. Trump may be president and confident in his denials of climate change, but the changes to our environment will still ruin so many things in the future.

Why it’s so hard to see our blind spots: “Our ignorance is invisible to us”

As I’ve been reading the psychological research on intellectual humility and the character traits it correlates with, I can’t help but fume: Why can’t more people be like this?

We need more intellectual humility for two reasons. One is that our culture promotes and rewards overconfidence and arrogance (think Trump and Theranos, or the advice your career counselor gave you when going into job interviews). At the same time, when we are wrong — out of ignorance or error — and realize it, our culture doesn’t make it easy to admit it. Humbling moments too easily can turn into moments of humiliation.

So how can we promote intellectual humility for both of these conditions?

In asking that question of researchers and scholars, I’ve learned to appreciate how hard a challenge it is to foster intellectual humility.

First off, I think it’s helpful to remember how flawed the human brain can be and how prone we all are to intellectual blind spots. When you learn about how the brain actually works, how it actually perceives the world, it’s hard not to be a bit horrified, and a bit humbled.

We often can’t see — or even sense — what we don’t know. It helps to realize that it’s normal and human to be wrong.

It’s rare that a viral meme also provides a surprisingly deep lesson on the imperfect nature of the human mind. But believe it or not, the great “Yanny or Laurel” debate of 2018 fits the bill.

For the very few of you who didn’t catch it — I hope you’re recovering nicely from that coma — here’s what happened.

An audio clip (you can hear it below) says the name “Laurel” in a robotic voice. Or does it? Some people hear the clip and immediately hear “Yanny.” And both sets of people — Team Yanny and Team Laurel — are indeed hearing the same thing.

What do you hear?! Yanny or Laurel pic.twitter.com/jvHhCbMc8I — Cloe Feldman (@CloeCouture) May 15, 2018

Hearing, the perception of sound, ought to be a simple thing for our brains to do. That so many people can listen to the same clip and hear such different things should give us humbling pause. Hearing “Yanny” or “Laurel” in any given moment ultimately depends on a whole host of factors: the quality of the speakers you’re using, whether you have hearing loss, your expectations.

Here’s the deep lesson to draw from all of this: Much as we might tell ourselves our experience of the world is the truth, our reality will always be an interpretation. Light enters our eyes, sound waves enter our ears, chemicals waft into our noses, and it’s up to our brains to make a guess about what it all is.

Perceptual tricks like this ( “the dress” is another one) reveal that our perceptions are not the absolute truth, that the physical phenomena of the universe are indifferent to whether our feeble sensory organs can perceive them correctly. We’re just guessing. Yet these phenomena leave us indignant: How could it be that our perception of the world isn’t the only one?

That sense of indignation is called naive realism: the feeling that our perception of the world is the truth. “I think we sometimes confuse effortlessness with accuracy,” Chris Chabris , a psychological researcher who co-authored a book on the challenges of human perception, tells me . When something is so immediate and effortless to us — hearing the sound of “Yanny” — it just feels true . (Similarly, psychologists find when a lie is repeated, it’s more likely to be misremembered as being true , and for a similar reason: When you’re hearing something for the second or third time, your brain becomes faster to respond to it. And that fluency is confused with truth.)

Our interpretations of reality are often arbitrary, but we’re still stubborn about them. Nonetheless, the same observations can lead to wildly different conclusions.

(Here’s that same sentence in GIF form.)

Different scientific models can have equivalent observational consequences. In #statistics , this is known as statistical equivalence; in the philosophy of science, underdetermination of theory by #data . This GIF is a really good (and beautiful) #dataviz . https://t.co/7P8wjdAjgO pic.twitter.com/eLTREWzh7F — Talia Bronshtein (@ininteraction) December 7, 2018

For every sense and every component of human judgment, there are illusions and ambiguities we interpret arbitrarily.

Some are gravely serious. White people often perceive black men to be bigger, taller, and more muscular (and therefore more threatening ) than they really are. That’s racial bias — but it’s also a socially constructed illusion. When we’re taught or learn to fear other people, our brains distort their potential threat. They seem more menacing, and we want to build walls around them. When we learn or are taught that other people are less than human , we’re less likely to look upon them kindly and more likely to be okay when violence is committed against them.

Not only are our interpretations of the world often arbitrary, but we’re often overconfident in them. “Our ignorance is invisible to us,” David Dunning, an expert on human blind spots, says.

You might recognize his name as half of the psychological phenomenon that bears his name: the Dunning-Kruger effect. That’s where people of low ability — let’s say, those who fail to understand logic puzzles — tend to unduly overestimate their abilities. Inexperience masquerades as expertise.

An irony of the Dunning-Kruger effect is that so many people misinterpret it, are overconfident in their understanding of it, and get it wrong.

When people talk or write about the Dunning-Kruger effect, it’s almost always in reference to other people. “The fact is this is a phenomenon that visits all of us sooner or later,” Dunning says. We’re all overconfident in our ignorance from time to time. (Perhaps related: Some 65 percent of Americans believe they’re more intelligent than average, which is wishful thinking.)

Similarly, we’re overconfident in our ability to remember. Human memory is extremely malleable, prone to small changes. When we remember, we don’t wind back our minds to a certain time and relive that exact moment, yet many of us think our memories work like a videotape.

Dunning hopes his work helps people understand that “not knowing the scope of your own ignorance is part of the human condition,” he says. “But the problem with it is we see it in other people, and we don’t see it in ourselves. The first rule of the Dunning-Kruger club is you don’t know you’re a member of the Dunning-Kruger club.”

People are unlikely to judge you harshly for admitting you’re wrong

In 2012, psychologist Will Gervais scored an honor any PhD science student would covet: a co-authored paper in the journal Science , one of the top interdisciplinary scientific journals in the world. Publishing in Science doesn’t just help a researcher rise up in academic circles; it often gets them a lot of media attention too.

One of the experiments in the paper tried to see if getting people to think more rationally would make them less willing to report religious beliefs. They had people look at a picture of Rodin’s The Thinker or another statue. They thought The Thinker would nudge people to think harder, more analytically. In this more rational frame of mind, then, the participants would be less likely to endorse believing in something as faith-based and invisible as religion, and that’s what the study found. It was catnip for science journalists: one small trick to change the way we think.

But it was a tiny, small-sample study, the exact type that is prone to yielding false positives. Several years later, another lab attempted to replicate the findings with a much larger sample size , and failed to find any evidence for the effect.

And while Gervais knew that the original study wasn’t rigorous, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort.

“Intellectually, I could say the original data weren’t strong,” he says. “That’s very different from the human, personal reaction to it. Which is like, ‘Oh, shit, there’s going to be a published failure to replicate my most cited finding that’s gotten the most media attention .’ You start worrying about stuff like, ‘Are there going to be career repercussions? Are people going to think less of my other work and stuff I’ve done?’”

Gervais’s story is familiar: Many of us fear we’ll be seen as less competent, less trustworthy, if we admit wrongness. Even when we can see our own errors — which, as outlined above, is not easy to do — we’re hesitant to admit it.

But turns out this assumption is false . As Adam Fetterman , a social psychologist at the University of Texas El Paso, has found in a few studies , wrongness admission isn’t usually judged harshly. “When we do see someone admit that they are wrong, the wrongness admitter is seen as more communal, more friendly,” he says. It’s almost never the case, in his studies, “that when you admit you’re wrong, people think you are less competent.”

Sure, there might be some people who will troll you for your mistakes. There might be a mob on Twitter that converges in order to shame you . Some moments of humility could be humiliating. But this fear must be vanquished if we are to become less intellectually arrogant and more intellectually humble.

Humility can’t just come from within — we need environments where it can thrive

But even if you’re motivated to be more intellectually humble, our culture doesn’t always reward it.

The field of psychology, overall, has been reckoning with a “ replication crisis ” where many classic findings in the science don’t hold up under rigorous scrutiny. Incredibly influential textbook findings in psychology — like the “ ego depletion” theory of willpower or the “ marshmallow test ” — have been bending or breaking.

I’ve found it fascinating to watch the field of psychology deal with this. For some researchers, the reckoning has been personally unsettling. “I’m in a dark place,” Michael Inzlicht, a University of Toronto psychologist, wrote in a 2016 blog post after seeing the theory of ego depletion crumble before his eyes. “Have I been chasing puffs of smoke for all these years?”

What I’ve learned from reporting on the “replication crisis” is that intellectual humility requires support from peers and institutions. And that environment is hard to build.

“What we teach undergrads is that scientists want to prove themselves wrong,” says Simine Vazire , a psychologist and journal editor who often writes and speaks about replication issues. “But, ‘How would I know if I was wrong?’ is actually a really, really hard question to answer. It involves things like having critics yell at you and telling you that you did things wrong and reanalyze your data.”

And that’s not fun. Again: Even among scientists — people who ought to question everything — intellectual humility is hard. In some cases, researchers have refused to concede their original conclusions despite the unveiling of new evidence . (One famous psychologist under fire recently told me angrily , “I will stand by that conclusion for the rest of my life, no matter what anyone says.”)

Psychologists are human. When they reach a conclusion, it becomes hard to see things another way. Plus, the incentives for a successful career in science push researchers to publish as many positive findings as possible.

There are two solutions — among many — to make psychological science more humble, and I think we can learn from them.

One is that humility needs to be built into the standard practices of the science. And that happens through transparency. It’s becoming more commonplace for scientists to preregister — i.e., commit to — a study design before even embarking on an experiment. That way, it’s harder for them to deviate from the plan and cherry-pick results. It also makes sure all data is open and accessible to anyone who wants to conduct a reanalysis.

That “sort of builds humility into the structure of the scientific enterprise,” Chabris says. “We’re not all-knowing and all-seeing and perfect at our jobs, so we put [the data] out there for other people to check out, to improve upon it, come up with new ideas from and so on.” To be more intellectually humble, we need to be more transparent about our knowledge. We need to show others what we know and what we don’t.

And two, there needs to be more celebration of failure, and a culture that accepts it. That includes building safe places for people to admit they were wrong, like the Loss of Confidence Project .

But it’s clear this cultural change won’t come easily.

“In the end,” Rohrer says, after getting a lot of positive feedback on the project, “we ended up with just a handful of statements.”

We need a balance between convictions and humility

There’s a personal cost to an intellectually humble outlook. For me, at least, it’s anxiety.

When I open myself up to the vastness of my own ignorance, I can’t help but feel a sudden suffocating feeling. I have just one small mind, a tiny, leaky boat upon which to go exploring knowledge in a vast and knotty sea of which I carry no clear map.

Why is it that some people never seem to wrestle with those waters? That they stand on the shore, squint their eyes, and transform that sea into a puddle in their minds and then get awarded for their false certainty? “I don’t know if I can tell you that humility will get you farther than arrogance,” says Tenelle Porter, a University of California Davis psychologist who has studied intellectual humility.

Of course, following humility to an extreme end isn’t enough. You don’t need to be humble about your belief that the world is round. I just think more humility, sprinkled here and there, would be quite nice.

“It’s bad to think of problems like this like a Rubik’s cube: a puzzle that has a neat and satisfying solution that you can put on your desk,” says Michael Lynch , a University of Connecticut philosophy professor. Instead, it’s a problem “you can make progress at a moment in time, and make things better. And that we can do — that we can definitely do.”

For a democracy to flourish, Lynch argues, we need a balance between convictions — our firmly held beliefs — and humility. We need convictions, because “an apathetic electorate is no electorate at all,” he says. And we need humility because we need to listen to one another. Those two things will always be in tension.

The Trump presidency suggests there’s too much conviction and not enough humility in our current culture.

“The personal question, the existential question that faces you and I and every thinking human being, is, ‘How do you maintain an open mind toward others and yet, at the same time, keep your strong moral convictions?’” Lynch says. “That’s an issue for all of us.”

To be intellectually humble doesn’t mean giving up on the ideas we love and believe in. It just means we need to be thoughtful in choosing our convictions, be open to adjusting them, seek out their flaws, and never stop being curious about why we believe what we believe. Again, that’s not easy.

You might be thinking: “All the social science cited here about how intellectual humility is correlated with open-minded thinking — what if that’s all bunk?” To that, I’d say the research isn’t perfect. Those studies are based on self-reports, where it can be hard to trust that people really do know themselves or that they’re being totally honest. And we know that social science findings are often upended.

But I’m going to take it as a point of conviction that intellectual humility is a virtue. I’ll draw that line for myself. It’s my conviction.

Could I be wrong? Maybe. Just try to convince me otherwise.

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The Importance of Humility

Humility is an underrated quality that isn’t touched upon often. It is something mentioned heavily in religious texts, and it may seem a little old-fashioned, but it’s a quality that is wholly necessary in this day and age.

Humility is in fact, one of the most powerful and important attributes of growth, both in and out of the ring. Being humble helps to build trust and facilitates learning, which are key aspects of leadership and personal development.

As the revolutionary Nelson Mandela once said “The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”

Let’s talk about the meaning of humility, how you can develop it, and how it can improve your performance both in and out of the ring.

What is Humility?

The definition of humility is the feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others or having a lack of pride. At first glance, humility seems like a negative quality, almost like a sign of weakness rather than a strength. In reality, humility is a type of modesty that will get you very far in your life as a person, a contender, and a leader. Let’s look at it another way. A person who lacks humility is arrogant. It is a person who only thinks of themselves and sees themselves as higher and better than others. There is no room for an arrogant person to improve themselves because they do not recognize their flaws. A person who is not humble does not have a growth mindset . The best fighter in the world still makes mistakes. The best coach in the world still has much to learn about the fight, and should always carry out their duties as not only a teacher but a student as well. When a contender or a trainer lacks the ability to see their own weaknesses, they will never be able to reach their full potential, because life is a never-ending journey of growth and learning. Pride robs a person of their ability to achieve.

Why Do We Need Humility?

Humble people don't lack pride in their accomplishments. Rather, it is knowing the time, place, and tone with which to share their strengths with the world.

Here are some examples of what it means to live with modesty and humbleness.

• Saying “good match” to your opponent, whether you’ve won or lost.
• Being coachable and allowing criticism to fuel development rather than resentment.
• Apologizing after making a mistake.
• Wanting the best for others rather than trying to harbor all success for yourself.
• Helping others who are below you in skill to improve rather than looking down on them.
• Looking towards those above you with an eye of inspiration and not jealousy.
• Competing with yourself more so than with others.

Humility is an asset for self-improvement. By living a humble life, you recognize the areas of your life that need work. If your coach suggests changing a technique to aid your performance in the ring, you must accept that your current technique may not be the best suited for your goals. That comes with letting go of your preconceived notions and trusting your coach. Only with humility and emotional intelligence can you allow these encounters to fuel your growth and coachability.

We also need humility for inner well-being. Becoming frustrated and angry at failure comes with any struggle in life. It’s important we understand humility to be able to better navigate those losses and pick ourselves up after the falls. It might sound counter-intuitive, but the more humble you are the more resilient you can be. If you can admit and recognize your part in the downfall you can work towards changing it. If you combine humility with your passion in life, you’ll rise to the top and overcome failure.

5 Key Steps to Becoming More Humble

It’s clear how important a modest mindset is in achieving our goals. The next step is to learn how to build that mindset because it doesn’t always come naturally.

Here are five steps to developing humility.

1. Build Confidence

Confidence is the key to living a full life. And yes, a humble person can still be confident. Remember, humbleness is not about only seeing your weaknesses, but it’s about recognizing your strengths, but not stopping there. It’s about using those assets to become bigger and better.

There are many things you can do to build your confidence. Try some easy tricks such as dressing up each morning, even if you’re not planning on going anywhere. The thought of looking great has a profound effect on our confidence!

Take time to reflect on your accomplishments at the end of each day and remember, success is a series of small wins.

2. Ask Questions

Humble people know that asking questions doesn't make you weak. If anything, asking questions makes you a stronger person, both mentally and physically. Show your coach your willingness to learn and make them see that you are really trying. When learning something new, it takes time for understanding to develop. Asking questions can help this process along.

Think back to your school years. What if you never asked questions then? Remember that you can only succeed if you seek the motivation to do so. If there’s something you don’t understand about your training plan, ask your coach to explain in another way or demonstrate. Being afraid to ask for guidance could limit you from achieving your goals.

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Anyone who has experience in leadership knows that your comfort zone is a safe place where nothing interesting ever happens. Gloveworx owner Leyon Azubuike said it best himself, "You must become comfortable with being uncomfortable, that is when you Become Unstoppable."

No one’s going to believe you’re a boxer if you don’t step out of your comfort zone. Try something new every now and again; you’ll thank yourself later. What’s on your bucket list? Skydiving? Traveling somewhere new? Meeting new people?

Many of these things are most likely out of your comfort zone, yet you still want to do them. Try something new every day, such as a yoga class or visiting an art gallery. You might learn something about yourself that you never knew before!

4. Remember Your Goals

Why are you training? Remind yourself every morning why you’re doing what you do, and how you can achieve your goals. Doing so just might make you understand the importance of what you’re doing, help you meet your goals, and help you inspire others to pursue their passion.

Try writing down your goals in a journal, and read it every morning after waking up. That way, they’re stuck in your head all day. Be sure to practice SMART goal-setting for personal growth and success.

5. Reflect on Your Behavior

If you act unfavorably, it will reflect back on your training, not to mention your lifestyle choices. Keeping a positive mindset can help you gain and maintain humility.

One of the most successful methods to reflect on your behavior is by writing in a journal alongside your goals. Is your behavior helping you you reach those goals or leading you away from them? By documenting what went well and what didn’t during your training, you can learn from your actions. Here are some things to consider when reflecting upon your behavior:

Strengths and Weaknesses

It's important to focus on the positive and remind yourself of your strengths. What did you do well today? How can you continue to improve? Having pride in your accomplishments doesn't negate the fact that there's always room for growth.

Additionally, it's important to take a look at your weaknesses, because everyone has them. What do you need to work on? Is there something that you're not understanding that you need to ask questions about? What are you doing wrong? If you acknowledge your weaknesses and view them as an opportunity to learn, you can cultivate personal growth.

Changing Beliefs

Engaging in pursuing your goals, especially those pertaining to physical activity, can start to change your beliefs. Write down your ideas and pay attention to how your way of thinking changes over time. Think critically about the reasons for these changes.

Role Models

In our culture, those who we perceive as great are often put on a pedestal. That's why it's so important to be a humble leader; ego has no role in a place of power. In your journal, write about those in leadership roles that you admire. Then take a deeper dive and determine the reasons behind that admiration. Why do you look up to them? What traits and characteristics do they possess? How can you carry these virtues into your own life?

How Can Humility be Used to Help in the Ring?

Humility is not something we can just achieve; it is so much more than that. We need humility to become better people. Therefore, humility is a construct of human behavior. If your coach teaches you something new that you struggle with, remember that you’re only doing your best – and practice makes perfect. As mentioned before, behavior in the ring reflects humility. Keep a positive attitude and make sure you thank your coach after every session.

Remember to Stay Humble!

Humility begins with accepting who we are and what makes us human. As a result of this, you gain control over your attitude and outlook on life. As A.L. Kennedy puts it, “Have more humility. Remember you don't know the limits of your own abilities. Successful or not, if you keep pushing beyond yourself, you will enrich your own life--and maybe even please a few strangers.”

Being humble is an important life skill. With it, we can choose to live a happier life. Ready to try something new, and work towards a happier, more humble livelihood? Book a session with Gloveworx today!

View this post on Instagram Weekend warriors—you do you, we’re over here rooting for you. #getinthering #becomeunstoppable A post shared by Gloveworx (@gloveworx) on Mar 14, 2020 at 9:02am PDT

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What Does It Mean When Someone is Humble: 8 Qualities

Being humble means having a modest and respectful attitude towards oneself and others. It means acknowledging one's strengths and weaknesses without arrogance or false modesty. Humble people are open to learning from others, appreciate feedback, and do not seek praise or recognition. They are also compassionate and empathetic towards others, especially those who are less fortunate or in need.

Sanju Pradeepa

You know that one person—the quiet, unassuming one—who lets their accomplishments and good deeds speak for themselves. The one who gives credit where it’s due and shares the spotlight. That’s a humble person. Humility is a quality that seems in short supply these days but is such an admirable trait. Have you ever wondered what it really means to be humble? It’s not just about being modest or self-deprecating. True humility runs deeper—a way of thinking and living that puts others first.

A humble person recognizes that there are more important things in life than status, achievement, or being right. They know that everyone has intrinsic worth and treat everyone compassionately. Humility also means embracing your imperfections and limitations. He understands they still have more to learn and grow. They can accept criticism and admit when they’re wrong.

But humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself; it means thinking of yourself less. So if you know someone humble, appreciate them. And if you want to cultivate more humility in yourself, start by listening more and judging less. Choose kindness over being right. And remember, true greatness comes from empowering others, not proving yourself. Humility is the path to wisdom and inner peace.

Table of Contents

Defining humility.

When someone owns the virtue of humility, they have a modest view of themselves and their importance. Humble people don’t see themselves as superior to others. They know that there are many things in life bigger than themselves.

Some signs that someone displays humility include:

• They don’t brag or boast about their accomplishments. Instead of touting their achievements, they tend to be more concerned with empowering others.
• They are open to feedback and criticism. They recognize they still have more to learn and actively seek opportunities to improve themselves.
• They give credit where it’s due. He quickly praises others for their contributions and highlight the role that luck or good fortune played in their success.
• They can laugh at themselves. They tend to have a good sense of humor and don’t take themselves too seriously. They are the first to poke fun at their own mistakes and imperfections.

Being humble doesn’t mean you have low self-esteem or think less of yourself. It just means you have a balanced, realistic perspective on your importance relative to others. You recognize that you’re not the center of the universe!

Cultivating humility is a lifelong practice. Make a habit of being grateful for what you have, learning from your mistakes, and serving others. Treat all people with compassion, respect, and kindness . Continuously seek to expand your mind through reading and engaging with people with different life experiences.

With practice, humility can become second nature. But beware of thinking you’ve achieved it—your ego may be creeping back in! True humility is recognizing we all have more progress to make in overcoming our self-centeredness and embracing our shared humanity.

Humility vs Arrogance: Which One Defines You Better

What does it mean when someone is humble.

When someone is humble, they carry some wonderful qualities that make them a joy to be around. They don’t think they’re better than others. They know that every person has value. They turn the spotlight away from themselves and onto others. They listen genuinely and ask questions to get to know you better. Compliments and achievements roll off their backs because they aim to lift those around them.

1. They Have a Sense of Wonder and Curiosity

The world is an exciting place full of mysteries when you have a humble mindset. No one has all the answers, so there’s always more to explore and understand. They approach life with an open and curiou s mind . They seek to grow in knowledge and wisdom, not prove how much they already know.

2. They Admit They’re Wrong

Everyone makes mistakes, but they dare to own up to theirs. They say, “I was wrong,” and work to make things right instead of making excuses. Admitting fault is a sign of strength that builds trust in relationships. It allows us to learn from our errors and do better next time.

3. They Express Gratitude

They appreciate each moment and blessing in their lives. They know that all good things come from above and say “thank you” often. Gratitude fills their hearts with joy that overflows onto others.

Gratitude Examples: 39 Examples with 7 Types of Gratitude

4. they lift others up.

A humble person’s goal is to serve, not be served. They look for opportunities to compliment, encourage, and support those around them. When others succeed and thrive, humble individuals cheer them on. They find purpose and meaning by building others up through acts of kindness and generosity .

5. They Talk Less About Themselves.

They don’t feel the need to draw attention to themselves or brag about their accomplishments. They’re more interested in listening to others and learning from them. When they share details about themselves, they do so in a self-deprecating , lighthearted way without coming across as fishing for compliments.

6. They Give More Than They Take.

They are givers, not takers. They look for ways to add value to others in small but meaningful ways each day. Whether offering encouragement, help with a task, or just a listening ear, humble people enjoy making a positive difference in the lives of people around them. Their humility and kindness inspire others to pay it forward.

7. They Focus on Growth, Not Perfection.

They recognize they have more to learn in life, so they concentrate on continuous self-improvement rather than proving how perfect they are. They accept feedback openly and admit their mistakes freely. For them, humility is a journey, not a destination. They make the most of each day to expand their minds and strengthen their character.

8. They Celebrate Others’ Wins.

When good things happen to people around them, they celebrate their victories and successes wholeheartedly. They find genuine joy in seeing others thrive and reach their full potential. Their humility allows them to appreciate the accomplishments of others without feeling threatened or diminished in any way.

So, if you want to be around them delightfully or are fortunate enough to have them in your life, recognize them and let them know you see and value them. People of true humility enrich our world beyond measure . They inspire us all to grow in wisdom, compassion, and kindness. And if you want to become more humble yourself , cultivate these qualities. The world could use more humble hearts and helping hands!

The Benefits of Being Humble

Being humble comes with so many benefits. You’re going to want to start practicing humility right away! When you’re humble, you can enjoy life more fully and connect with others on a deeper level.

Develop Stronger Relationships

People are naturally drawn to those who don’t think too highly of themselves. They recognize that every person has inherent worth, so they treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion. This makes building meaningful connections and developing strong, lasting relationships easy.

Learn and Grow

They don’t assume they know everything. They recognize there is always more to learn from others and life experiences. With an open and curious mindset, humble individuals continuously seek to expand their knowledge and improve themselves. They ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zone.

Achieve Greater Success

Believe it or not, humility is the path to success and greatness. When you recognize you still have more to learn, you work harder to achieve your goals and improve your skills. You can also accept feedback and learn from your mistakes, which fuels progress. Success is rarely achieved overnight, but with humility and perseverance , you’ll get there!

Find Inner Peace

They accept themselves as imperfect beings and embrace life as a journey of continuous self-improvement . They appreciate each day as an opportunity to do better. With this outlook, they experience less anxiety, stress, and inner turmoil. They have made peace with themselves and found contentment in the simple things.

Is Blocking Someone Immature When It’s for the Peace of Mind

Cultivating humility in yourself takes conscious effort, but the rewards are worth it. Start by listening more, judging less, and being willing to admit when you’re wrong. Make the choice each day to learn and grow. Treat all people with kindness, empathy, and respect. When you do, you’ll experience the many benefits of humility and find greater happiness and fulfillment.

Cultivate Humility in Various Areas

Humility is the quality of being humble and recognizing one’s limitations and flaws. Cultivating humility in various areas of life can have many benefits, such as improving relationships, enhancing learning, and fostering gratitude.

In our personal lives, humility can help us appreciate what we have and avoid comparing ourselves to others. We can cultivate humility by expressing gratitude for our blessings, acknowledging our mistakes, apologizing when needed, and seeking feedback from others to improve ourselves.

In professional life, humility can help us work effectively with others and achieve our goals. We can cultivate humility by respecting the opinions and expertise of our colleagues, admitting when we don’t know something, asking for help, and celebrating the successes of our team members.

In social life, humility can help us connect with others and build trust. We can cultivate humility by listening actively and em-pathetically to others, avoiding boasting or bragging about ourselves, and being open-minded and curious about different perspectives and cultures.

Here are some ways to practice humility in different domains:

1. Cultivating Humility in Yourself

To cultivate humility in yourself, start by practicing self-awareness. Recognize that you still have much to learn in life. No one knows everything, so stay open to new ideas and perspectives.

Focus on listening to others instead of talking about yourself. Ask questions to understand their experiences and viewpoints. This helps build empathy and compassion. Pay genuine compliments, recognizing other people’s strengths, talents, and accomplishments. Say “thank you” often, expressing gratitude for what others have added to your life.

Don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. Have the courage to say, “I don’t know” or “I made a mistake”. Learn from your failures and imperfections rather than judge yourself harshly. None of us are perfect, so give yourself grace.

Do small acts of kindness each day without expectation of reward or recognition. Help others in need and make a positive difference whenever you can. Lift people with your words and actions. Practice humility through serving.

Avoid entitlement and arrogance . Don’t think you deserve special treatment or are better than others. Everyone is equally deserving of respect and dignity. Stay grounded by spending time in nature and reflecting on the vastness and connectedness of life.

Celebrate other people’s victories and good fortune. Be genuinely happy for their success and abundance. The achievements and blessings of others do not threaten a humble person. Wish them well on their journey.

Continuously reflect on how you can improve as a person. Set small goals to become wiser and kinder and make better daily choices.

Humility is the lifelong practice of bettering oneself while uplifting others. Make it your daily habit.

2. Staying Humble in Leadership Roles

Staying humble is one of the most important qualities of good leadership. When you’re in a position of power, it can be easy to let ego and arrogance get the better of you. But the best leaders recognize that humility is essential. Here are a few tips to help you remain humble and grounded:

Be a good listener. Make an effort to hear others and truly value their input. Ask questions and be open to learning from those around you, especially subordinates and entry-level employees. Their perspectives are valuable!

Share the spotlight. Take only some of the credit for successes; spread it and lift others. Recognize and reward team members for their contributions. People will appreciate your generosity, and it will build their loyalty.

Admit it when you’re wrong. No one is perfect, so be willing to acknowledge mistakes and shortcomings. Apologize sincerely when needed. Your followers will respect your honesty and integrity.

Value all roles. Treat everyone with equal dignity and respect, regardless of their status or position. Say “please” and “thank you,” make eye contact, smile, and engage people in genuine interaction. Your kindness and decency will inspire others.

Stay grounded. No matter your achievements or accolades, remember where you came from, and don’t think too highly of yourself. See yourself as a servant leader working for the benefit of others, not your glory or status. Make time for hobbies, friends, and family outside of work. They will help you maintain perspective.

Continuous self-improvement. Humble leaders recognize they can always do better and seek to expand their knowledge and skills. They stay open to feedback and try to learn and grow professionally and personally. People will appreciate your dedication to constant progress.

Exuding humility, generosity of spirit, and a desire to lift others are hallmarks of a great leader. Try to develop these qualities in yourself, and you’ll earn the deepest respect and loyalty from all those around you. Staying humble in leadership roles is truly empowering.

Arrogance Leads to Failure: How It Costs Arrogant Leaders

3. teaching humility to children.

Teaching your kids humility early will help build their character and shape them into caring individuals. Humility is a virtue that will serve them well their whole lives.

1. Set a good example.

Practice humility in your own words and actions. Admit when you’re wrong, show gratitude, and avoid arrogance. Kids often mimic their parents, so model the behavior you want to see.

2. Focus on others.

Encourage your kids to do small acts of kindness each day without expecting praise or reward. Have them help with chores and tasks at home, not for money or treats but because they genuinely want to contribute. Teach them to listen to others and be genuinely interested in learning their perspectives.

3. Develop gratitude.

Help your kids cultivate an attitude of gratitude . Have them do exercises like keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, or simply naming a few things they’re grateful for daily. Feeling grateful for what they have will help prevent entitlement and arrogance.

4. Celebrate wins, big and small.

Praise your kids for their efforts and achievements, but teach them to keep their accomplishments in perspective. Help them understand that both wins and losses are temporary and fleeting. Staying humble during times of success will make coping with failures and setbacks much easier.

5. Admit mistakes.

Encourage your kids to own up to their mistakes when needed and make things right. Let them know everyone makes errors, and the important thing is learning from them. Admitting faults and imperfections is a key part of developing humility.

Raising humble children isn’t easy in today’s self-centered world. Still, they’ll develop this noble quality with your guidance and support. And when they do, they’ll have healthy, meaningful relationships and find true contentment and inner peace . What a gift to give your child that will last a lifetime!

4. Humility in Different Contexts

Humility shows up in many areas of life. When someone is humble, they have a modest view of themselves and their abilities. Let’s explore how humility manifests in work, relationships, and spirituality.

Humble coworkers don’t boast about their accomplishments or take all the credit for team wins. They share success with others and lift their teammates. If they make a mistake, humble people own up to it and work to remedy the situation. They don’t blame others or make excuses.

Humble leaders empower their teams by listening to different viewpoints and considering others’ input. They admit when they’re wrong and say “I don’t know” when needed. Humble bosses create space for others to contribute and share the spotlight. Working for a leader often leads to high job satisfaction and staff retention.

In Relationships

Humble friends don’t dominate conversations by talking about themselves. They ask questions and show interest in learning more about you. They freely give compliments and praise to others. If there’s a disagreement, they remain open-minded and willing to see other perspectives.

Romantic partners who are humble express gratitude for their significant other. They do small acts of kindness to show they care. In relationships, they compromise when needed and value their partner’s needs as much as their own.

Spiritually

Many religions and spiritual philosophies teach the importance of humility. When someone is spiritually humble, they recognize their insignificance in the grand scheme. They know there are forces greater than themselves at work in the universe.

People of faith do not judge others for their beliefs or proclaim a monopoly on truth. They practice compassion , kindness, and grace. Spiritual humility leads to more peace and purpose as people accept what they cannot control and focus on living according to their values.

Humility comes through valuing others, a willingness to learn, and understanding one’s limits and shortcomings. While humble people do not boast of their merits, their actions and attitudes profoundly impact the world.

Overcoming the Challenge of False Humility

They often struggle with receiving compliments or praise graciously. They frequently deflect or minimize kind words from others, saying things like “Oh, it was nothing” or “I just got lucky.” While humility is admirable, downplaying your accomplishments too much can indicate a lack of self-confidence and make others feel like their praise doesn’t matter.

Accept Compliments Gracefully

When someone pays you a compliment, say “thank you.” There’s no need to make excuses or deflect the kind words. Saying thanks acknowledges the other person’s kindness and honors your hard work and talents. Practice accepting compliments with confidence and believing in yourself!

Avoid False Modesty

False modesty means pretending to be humble when you know you have achieved something great. Don’t minimize your accomplishments or make excuses for your successes. It’s okay to feel proud of milestones and wins—you earned them! Share your achievements with close ones and allow them to celebrate with you. Let their praise and positivity boost your self-esteem.

Focus on Growth, Not Perfection

No one is perfect, so don’t feel pressured to be the best at everything. Do your best and focus on continuous self-improvement. A growth mindset is about progress, not perfection. Remember to acknowledge your wins and losses, then look for each lesson. What did you do well? How can you improve for next time? This balanced approach will help build your confidence from a place of humility and wisdom.

How Do You Let Go of the Spirit of Perfectionism? Wanna Try?

These tips can help overcome false humility and cultivate authentic self-worth. You have much to offer the world, so believe in yourself and your abilities! Accept compliments, share your wins, and pursue growth—you deserve to be recognized for your awesomeness. Staying humble doesn’t mean hiding your light under a bushel. Let it shine!

Quotes and Inspiration

When someone is humble, they have a modest view of themselves and their importance. Humble people don’t brag or boast but instead recognize their flaws and shortcomings. Some inspiring quotes about humility:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” Confucius

There’s something deeply appealing about humility. We respect and admire people who don’t put on air or act entitled. Humble folks are down-to-earth, authentic, and approachable. They make others feel at ease and valued.

Cultivating humility is a lifelong endeavor, but one well worth pursuing. The humble path is often the wisest and most rewarding one. Staying grounded and gracious allows us to build deeper connections and make a more meaningful impact. With humility comes happiness.

So there you have it, my friend—the hallmarks of a truly humble person. When someone displays these qualities, you know you’ve found a gem. Surround yourself with them and learn from them. Their example will enrich your life in so many ways.

Most importantly, work to cultivate humility in yourself. It’s a lifelong practice that yields rewards beyond measure. Make the choice each day to lift others, seek growth, and embrace your imperfections with compassion. Do that, and you’ll discover what it means to live happily and peacefully. Humility—what a simple concept with the power to transform our world.

• The Top 10 Characteristics Of Highly Admired People by Paloma Cantero-Gomez from Forbes
• 101 Humility Quotes to Inspire You to Live a Happier and More Successful Life (2022 Update) By Henrik Edberg

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Humility and Its Importance in Society

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3 Ways Humility Can Undermine Your Leadership

• Tony Martignetti

You can preserve your commitment to highlighting others without hindering your effectiveness.

Humble leadership is characterized by a willingness to admit a mistake or when you don’t know something, a tendency to share credit for successes, and an appreciation for others’ contributions. This leadership style is built on self-awareness, respect for others, and a focus on collective over individual success. But being overly humble can potentially diminish your perceived authority in three ways: 1) You may be perceived as indecisive; 2) You may hinder your career advancement; and 3) You may be limiting your team’s development. The author offers advice on how to navigate these challenges while preserving the benefits of this leadership style.

Sunil, a seasoned executive at a leading tech firm, was known for his humility. He rarely took credit for his achievements, preferring to share praise with his team, and he would always seek consensus before making decisions. While his approach fostered a positive team environment, it also led to perceptions of indecisiveness, especially during critical decision-making moments. This came to a head when a delay, caused by his hesitancy to act without full consensus, cost the company a lucrative market opportunity. It was a turning point for Sunil, highlighting a complex truth: Humility, while a virtue, can sometimes be a double-edged sword in leadership.

• TM Tony Martignetti is the chief inspiration officer at Inspired Purpose Partners , where he advises leaders to stay grounded in chaotic times. He is the best-selling author of Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life and Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward .

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An essay on how to become humble-the sweetest virtue

Practising the values in life makes people virtuous. Being humble is a virtue, and whoever practises it becomes loveable. Humility spreads sweetness, so it's the sweetest virtue of all. Let's see in the following essay why being humble is sweet.

Introduction Sometimes life moves on smoothly, and many a time, on quite a rigorous note. Thus, when life is smooth or seems to stumble upon, someone's humble approach at any point gives a sweet experience. Everyone must understand that a humble attitude spreads happiness, so it will be wise to learn the art of being humble and make others happy. Not all but, many believe in creating a personal image of being invincible and too knowledgeable that make them proud of themselves. The proud feeling makes one arrogant, and that cannot make a person virtuous. A person can be immensely talented, rich, good looking, highly intellectual, or has any other qualities that lead to success, praise and importance, but lacking humbleness and displaying a superiority complex would take away the sheen from one's achievement. There is a need to be humble to become the epitome of virtue. How to become humble? Well, suddenly no person can become an idol of humility because it needs some inner transformation. One has to work on it and get rid of unwanted bad qualities. It will transform a person into a refined human being. Give up self-promotion A person must learn to give importance to others before self-promotion. There is no room for considering oneself superior. It's praiseworthy to consider oneself actually as a learner. Those who make themselves understand that life is a learning process, be it from seniors, juniors or contemporaries, have no qualms and represent the purity of their soul. These people never feel demeaned but keep on learning at every point in time. Thus, thinking high about good people and their deeds is required. Side by side, one should not regard oneself as self-righteous. Not only this, those who know not to undermine others due to their inability to perform are modest truly, and they receive unlimited blessings that lead to their success. So, to become humble, one should not be self-obsessed. An apt quote by C. S. Lewis: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." Get rid of jealousy Everyone who wants to become humble needs to get rid of jealousy. A human heart should be full of love and care and must not have any place for comparison with others. Feeling jealous of those who enjoy a better position is a very negative trait, and thus upholding jealousy shuts the door to humility. Give up selfishness Selfishness is another negative behaviour of human beings that should be out rightly rejected by those who want to become humble. A selfish person cannot think anything else above oneself, so they want everything for themselves. Whoever is a self-engrossed person cannot wish others to be well placed. Thus, selfishness is very harsh, while those who are not selfish lead a contented life full of humility within. Be grateful Being grateful is another trait that makes human beings humble. One must learn to remain thankful to God for giving life. Thanksgiving must extend to parents and the rest of the families, teachers, friends, and every such person who helped every one of us to grow and lead a happy life. Thanking someone shows that one has accepted that life would have been incomplete if one had not received genuine help in any form from another person. Learn to forgive To remain grateful is a must, but along with it, the person must learn the art of forgiving or else thankfulness would be meaningless. One's conscience has to be clear by practising both the good qualities: gratefulness and forgiveness. Having a negative mindset towards those who committed wrong by never wholeheartedly accepting one's apology shows arrogance. That does not signify humility. Loyalty towards the right person Forsake loyalty towards wrong and offensive people. A person can never be sweet in one's approach if allegiance to an influential person becomes a habit. Loyalty gets wasted by being loyal to a criminal or any authoritative person. Thus, a person must be judgmental while becoming a follower. Following the right person helps the follower to learn good practices. Be gentle Last but not least, one must be gentle too to become humble. Unless there's kindness in a person's heart, one cannot behave humbly because a kind gesture does not allow a person to be boastful. Conclusion People must instill within themselves the abovementioned norms to become humble. Those who learn to be humble know to respect others, and so humbleness is like Godliness. Life can be successful by earning wealth and fame, but one cannot enjoy unconditional love and respect if someone lacks humility. It is always advisable to be humble because it spreads sweetness among the people who come in contact. The people who receive pleasant behaviour get touched, and that's the utmost satisfaction for any person who practises humility. Thus, being humble is the sweetest approach of all the virtues.

Being humble and polite is definitely a very important attribute in human lives. We all should try to be like that but unfortunately, it is not so simple and easy to inculcate these virtues in oneself. The reasons for this are manifold but the main thing is that as human beings we have all types of emotions and they control our mood and behaviour from time to time. As per the psychology of human interactions and behaviour, every person behaves, most of the time, as per the situation and not as per one's imposed manners. There are very few people who can control their reactions and spontaneous emotions and convert them into patience and politeness. Another aspect in this subject is that the upbringing, financial condition, social background etc are also responsible, to some extent, for making a person what one is today and that to a large extent determines one's behaviour and manners. In spite of all these odds, we should as good human beings try to inculcate humbleness in our character.

Humble people are liked in every society in every world, it is natural to like people who talk with love, treat you well. The quality of Humble Persons that the author has told is commendable, keeping these points in mind, a person can bring humbleness within himself. For this, one has to get himself out of small thoughts, if a person is suffering from the happiness of others, then it can become a big problem for him and in such a situation it is necessary to change himself. A humble person is of a calm and simple nature and due to this he is able to make his life easy, everyone likes with such people. Some identities of Humble Persons - Don't compare. Appreciate the talent of others Expect no compliments or none Motivate others Don't hide the shortcomings or mistakes

Only when a person is humble, will he be open to learning something new and expanding his knowledge. A prideful person with an egoistic mind may not do so. Thus, his knowledge is confined to what he already knows. He is not ready to listen to anyone because of his know-it-all attitude. On the other hand, a humble person has a different approach towards life. Wisdom is in knowing that I am nothing. When a person knows that he is not the label that society attaches to his personality, he will rise above all of them. He understands his authenticity and this is why he is humble. Only a humble person can better himself in life's journey. He is so focused on self-improvement that he will understand his strengths and gracefully accept his weaknesses. He will work on his weaknesses and transform them into his strengths. All this is possible because of his accepting attitude. A change is only possible when there is a want for real change which is easily brought about by humility. When the want is missing, no matter how hard a person tries, he will not be able to change himself despite all the support provided to him from the outside world. Those who are around a humble person will feel appreciated and valued. This strengthens the bonds. Thus, humility is not only necessary to bring self-improvement but is also the basis of any relationship. To be open to others' opinions and viewpoints and not disregarding them is a kind of respect that can only be offered by someone humble.

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I got a 2.5% mortgage rate last year when everyone else was getting 6%. It's saving us $40,000 and helping pay off my medical bills for cancer treatment.

• Amy Yzaguirre and her husband bought a home in Oregon with a 2.5% interest rate in 2023.
• The lower mortgage rate, attained via an assumable mortgage, saves them $40,000 over 28 years.
• Yzaguirre and her husband   have used their savings to pay off medical debt and purchase a new car.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amy Yzaguirre, 40, a student and barista. She and her husband purchased a home with an assumable mortgage in Tigard, Oregon, in March 2023. An assumable mortgage allows qualifying buyers to acquire the interest rate, current principal balance, and other conditions of a seller's existing loan. Not all loans can be assumed. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up in the Portland, Oregon, area but moved to Boise, Idaho, in 2017. In 2022, my husband and I decided to move back to Oregon.

My husband had applied for some jobs in Portland and got a position, but we had just refinanced our Boise home. Since we had signed a no-flip clause, we couldn't sell it until April 2022.

We planned that he would move to Portland and live with a friend while our son and I stayed back and got the house ready to be sold in April. Then, we would join him and buy a house.

But in January 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I didn't want to undergo half of my chemo treatment in Boise and the other half in Portland, so we had to figure out a way to be together as a family while I underwent chemotherapy.

We had to keep the house until April, but we couldn't afford to pay two mortgages or pay rent and a mortgage. A family friend gave us the idea to buy an RV and live on my parents' land in Oregon. We lived there for eight months. It was pretty rough, but we made it work.

In March of 2022, we started looking at houses through our real-estate agent. I was in the middle of chemo, but on the days that I would feel good, we would meet up with brokers.

One suggested, "To get the type of mortgage loan that you want, you need to wait until you're back to work." So, we decided to pause our home search until then. While waiting, we got our credit in a good spot. When August came around and I got a job, we started seriously looking at houses.

Finding an affordable home to buy was difficult

We wanted to live in the suburb that my parents lived in, called Tigard, but the area was too expensive for us, and the real-estate market was fairly competitive.

It's funny how an area can be a nice, family-friendly, affordable place to live, and then all of a sudden, it becomes overpopulated and it's not nearly as reasonable as it used to be.

We eventually decided to look in the Sherwood area instead. At this point, I had beaten cancer and was in remission. My husband and I were excited that we could take the next step and buy a new house.

We qualified for a substantial loan through our mortgage company, but we didn't want our monthly payments to be too high. We set our budget for a home at no more than $450,000 — but even that was a bit of a stretch.

As we looked, we really couldn't find many homes that checked all the boxes for that amount.

But in September 2022, we found a townhouse that was on the market for $416,000. On a flyer for the home, its seller had written that if we wanted to assume her loan, she was locked in at 2.5%.

That didn't necessarily draw us in because we didn't quite know what that meant.

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I was more interested in the fact that it was a 1,500-square-foot townhouse that had everything we wanted, like a backyard, a big garage, and an open floor plan with hardwood floors.

At the time, I believe mortgage rates were close to 6%. If we had a traditional mortgage, our monthly payment would have been about $3,000 a month. I remember being like, "OK, that's pretty high, but I think we can make it work. We're just going to have to be really careful."

An assumable mortgage was too irresistible to pass up

We told our real-estate agent about the home and asked her what an assumable mortgage was. She said, "You'll have to talk to our mortgage broker. I don't really have any experience with that and don't know what it entails."

I asked the mortgage broker, and he admitted, "Well, we haven't dealt with this in probably about 30 years, so I'm not entirely familiar with the process. But essentially, when you assume a loan, you're taking over the seller's mortgage. If you qualify, you can adopt their locked-in rate, and you don't have to pay current mortgage rates."

He warned us that the seller's mortgage company was not going to hold our hand through the process. But if we were willing to put in a rigorous amount of work and do a lot of bugging, we should definitely try it because it would save us a lot of money.

I did the math. The seller was locked in at 2.5%, so if we qualified to assume the loan, our mortgage would be a little over $2,100 a month versus the over $3,000 we would be paying with a traditional mortgage at current market rates. It would save us over $40,000 in the long run. That would give us wiggle room and allow us to continue our lifestyle instead of having to scale back.

It sounded amazing, so my husband and I decided to pursue the loan assumption.

It's not easy assuming a loan — and it took forever

In March 2023, we purchased our home for $418,900 and made a down payment of $48,000. The home had a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, with 28 years left on a $383,000 Federal Housing Administration loan.

We worked with Flagstar to assume the mortgage, and they assigned us an advocate. He was really nice and helped us through the process.

In the end, we ended up submitting over 200 documents, and the process took three full months.

At a certain point, my husband was over it and just wanted to go with a normal mortgage. I had to assure him I could take care of it and that it would all be worth it — we just had to be patient.

The mortgage broker we originally spoke to was right — as the company processing the assumable mortgage isn't making any money, you really have to advocate for yourself, jump in there, and ask questions.

I tell anybody who has asked me about assuming loans that it's going to take a long time and it will be grueling. The process will humble you in some ways, too, because you start doubting yourself, like, "Am I a horrible financial person? Why did they need so much information? Am I not doing this right? Is there something that I've done wrong?"

But once you get through the process, you should be able to get it.

It just takes time.

The hard work getting the assumable mortgage was worth it

After living in a tiny 21-foot RV, buying a home gave us freedom and a new beginning. It also helped me not feel boxed in anymore.

Even though I was fortunate to have good insurance during chemotherapy — once I hit a certain deductible, insurance covered the rest — and have excellent insurance through my current job, I still had quite a few medical bills to pay off.

With the extra money we have saved on our mortgage payment, I've been able to pay them down.

We also used the extra money to pay off other debt and purchase a Toyota Tacoma with cash — we don't have a car payment at all.

We're not living grand or extravagantly, but at least we're not having to eat ramen every night. Knowing that we worked so hard for this lifestyle and achieved it ourselves, I feel like we're truly living life to the fullest.

Watch: Millions of homes could flood the US housing market thanks to boomers

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Guest Essay

Scientists Just Gave Humanity an Overdue Reality Check. The World Will Be Better for It.

By Stephen Lezak

Mr. Lezak is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford who studies the politics of climate change.

The world’s leading institution on geology declined a proposal on Wednesday to confirm that the planet has entered a new geologic epoch , doubling down on its bombshell announcement earlier this month. The notion that we’re in the “Anthropocene” — the proposed name for a geologic period defined by extensive human disturbance — has become a common theme in environmental circles for the last 15 years. To many proponents, the term is an essential vindication, the planetary equivalent of a long-sought diagnosis of a mysterious illness. But geologists weren’t convinced.

The international geology commission’s decision this week to uphold its vote of 12 to 4 may seem confusing, since by some measures humans have already become the dominant geologic force on the earth’s surface. But setting the science aside for a moment, there’s a reason to celebrate, because the politics behind the Anthropocene label were rotten to begin with.

For starters, the word Anthropocene problematically implies that humans as a species are responsible for the sorry state of the earth’s environments. While technically true, only a fraction of humanity, driven by greed and rapacious capitalism, is responsible for burning through the planet’s resources at an unsustainable rate. Billions of humans still lead lives with relatively modest environmental footprints, yet the terminology of the Anthropocene wrongly lays blame at their feet. Responding to the vote, a group of outside scientists wisely noted in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution that “our impacts have less to do with being human and more to do with ways of being human.”

What’s more, inaugurating a new geologic epoch is an unacceptable act of defeatism. Geologic epochs are not fleeting moments. The shortest one, the Holocene — the one we live in — is 11,700 years long and counting. The idea that we are entering a new epoch defined by human-caused environmental disaster implies that we won’t be getting out of this mess anytime soon. In that way, the Anthropocene forecloses on the possibility that the geologic future might be better than the present.

By placing Homo sapiens center stage, the Anthropocene also deepens a stark and inaccurate distinction between humanity and the planet that sustains us. The idea of “nature” as something separate from humankind is a figment of the Western imagination. We should be wary of language that further separates us from the broader constellation of life to which we belong.

Before the recent vote, the Anthropocene epoch had cleared several key hurdles on the path to scientific consensus. The International Commission on Stratigraphy, the global authority on demarcating the planet’s history, established a dedicated working group in 2009. Ten years later, the group formally recommended adopting the new epoch. But the proposal still had to be approved by a matryoshka doll of committees within the commission and its parent body, the International Union of Geological Sciences.

By all accounts, the process leading up to the vote was highly contentious. After the initial vote was held, scientists in the minority called for it to be annulled , citing procedural issues. This week, the committee’s parent authority stepped in to uphold the results.

Ultimately, what scuttled the proposal was disagreement about where to mark the end of the Holocene. The Anthropocene Working Group had settled on 1952, the year that airborne plutonium residue from testing hydrogen bombs fell across broad stretches of the planet. That ash, scientists reasoned, would leave a sedimentary signature akin to the boundaries that mark ancient geologic transitions. But scientists at the stratigraphy commission objected — what about the dawn of agriculture or the Industrial Revolution? After all, the human footprint on the planet long predates the atomic age.

“It’s very obvious to me that human activity started long before 1952,” Phil Gibbard, a founding member of the Anthropocene Working Group who is the secretary-general of the commission, said when we spoke on Thursday. “It just didn’t make sense to draw a rigid boundary within my lifetime.”

In recent years, philosophers have bandied about alternative names: the Capitalocene , the Plantationocene and even the Ravencene , a reference to the raven who figures widely in North Pacific Indigenous mythology as a trickster figure, reminding humans to be humble amid our destructive capacity. For my part, I’m partial to “post-Holocene,” an admission that the world is vastly different than it was 10,000 years ago, but that we can’t possibly predict — or name — what it might look like in another 10,000 years.

In the end, it might be too late to find a better term. The “Anthropocene” has already entered the popular lexicon, from the cover of The Economist to the title of a Grimes album. The scientists who coined the term do not have the power to extinguish it.

Whatever we choose to call these troubled times, what matters most is that we keep an open mind about what the future holds and maintain an appreciation for the complexity of the issues we face. The scars humanity leaves upon the earth are much too fraught to be represented with a single line drawn across time.

Looking ahead, we should follow the geologists’ lead and keep a healthy skepticism of the A-word. After all, nothing is more hubristic than reckless tyrants who names the world after themselves — think Stalingrad, Constantinople or Alexandria.

Geologists will continue to disagree over what to call the present era. The rest of us must continue the difficult politics of caring for a planet that can (still) support a panoply of life.

Stephen Lezak is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford who studies the politics of climate change.

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