But What Is a Humble Leader? If you’re sometimes hesitant and often unsure, take heart. Science says you have a good chance of becoming a great leader.

BY JEFF HADEN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, INC.@JEFF_HADEN

For Inc.

Photo: Getty Images

Hear the words “great leader” and a few attributes probably spring to mind. Authoritative. Charismatic.  Confident — in their ideas, their opinions, and in themselves. Respected, if not always liked.

That, at least is the stereotype. Yet if I think about the best boss I ever worked for, none of those words — except “respected” and “liked” — describe her. She was quiet. Often questioned her decisions, and invited others to do the same.

So why was she such a good leader? Research shows humble leaders tend not just to be more likable, but also to be more effective.

As the authors of a study published in Academy of Management Journal write:

… leader humility involves leaders modeling to followers how to grow and produces positive organizational outcomes by leading followers to believe that their own developmental journeys and feelings of uncertainty are legitimate in the workplace.

… the emergent humility in leadership model informs a broad range of leadership issues, including organizational development and change, the evolution of leader-follower relationships, new pathways for engaging followers, and integrating top-down and bottom-up organizing.

Or in non-researcher-speak, humble leaders are relatable, approachable, empathetic, and — for those who aspire to be servant leaders — more helpful and giving.

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