Arrogant or Humble Leadership?

View fullsize

I get to do great leadership work with Slingshot Group through staffing and coaching youth ministries across the country. One of the partners, Stan Endicott, sent our team these 15 Ways to Spot Humility or Arrogance from Leadership Freak, Dan Rockwell. I couldn't help but to think of where arrogance AND humility lies within me. 

What about you? Where do you see these in your life and leadership?

1. Arrogant leaders advance their own agenda by telling others what they want to hear.
2. Humble people serve higher purposes – not themselves. They do and say what’s best for others.
3. Humble leaders put organizational success before their own. Don’t trust leaders who put their own success above organizational success.
4. Humble leaders aren’t climbing the ladder; they are going down the stairs. They aren’t at the top of the heap; they are at the bottom.
5. Arrogant leaders emphasize your responsibility to them.
6. Humble leaders focus on responsibility to others.
7. Arrogant managers don’t have time for people.
8. Humble managers value people.
9. Arrogant bosses focus more on getting than on giving.
10. Arrogant people expect others to serve them.
11. Humility serves others.
12. Arrogant people brag about themselves.
13. Humble people brag about others.
14. Arrogance blames.
15. Humility takes responsibility.
16. Humble people strengthen organizations. Arrogant people use organizations.

May those of us gifted, privileged, and tasked with leadership responsible become humbler people. The world could use a little more humility in leadership.