humility · from humus, "earth, ground"
Humility is not a virtue that past generations would naturally have associated with leadership, but a recent Harvard Business Review post included it among the qualities that help shape an "inclusive" leader, suggesting that such leaders should be "modest about their capabilities, admit mistakes and create the space for others to contribute".
As understood today, humility still carries associations of meekness and self-abasement, inherited from its past as one of the great virtues of the early Christian Church, the counter to Pride.
But a look at its origin, far back beyond Christianity, gives us extra dimensions to value. The Latin "humilitas" derives from "humus", meaning "earth" or "ground", a root it shares with "human". The 9th-century monks who translated the Latin into Old English gave us "earthiness" for "humilitas".
A reflection on humility might remind us all, whether leaders or led, that now, more than ever, in a world changing so rapidly, we need to have both feet planted firmly on the earth, to be "grounded", and that we share a common humanity.
Humility, the willingness to stay grounded and to see ourselves plainly, sits close to the heart of my self-awareness coaching. If you would welcome a conversation about your own, you can reach me at richard@hilliardcoaching.com.