Sirajuddin Aziz
Leaders or managers who understand that the quality of human resources ultimately impacts both the pursuit and its outcome are more likely to succeed. If a manager is always self-important or consumed with their own glory, it becomes nearly impossible to inspire genuine commitment towards achieving organisational objectives.
Humility is a powerful remedy—it calms anger and acts as a restraint, even in moments of provocation. There is often confusion between modesty and humility. While they may seem similar, they are distinct traits and should not be used interchangeably.
Modesty refers to manners; it is about restraint in appearance and behaviour—resisting the urge to flaunt oneself or attract attention. Dr Neel Burton, psychiatrist, philosopher and writer, aptly summarises in Psychology Today: “To be humble is to subdue our ego so that things are no longer about us, whereas to be modest is to protect the ego of others so that they do not feel uncomfortable, threatened or small and attack us in turn. Because the humble person is in fact very big, he or she may need to slap on an extra veneer of modesty.”
Modesty can be an act, not a consistent or genuine trait. It may be superficial, while humility is deeply ingrained in one’s persona—more intrinsic and sincere.
Socrates was widely seen by Athenians as the most humble of men. The more knowledge he gained, the humbler he became—his mantra being, “I know that I do not know.” Yet, at his trial, humility seemed to morph into what history records as the “arrogance of humility.” He chastised jury members for lacking intellect and wisdom—ironically, undermining the very virtue he was known for.
Arrogance is the most repulsive form of human deformity—a disease of the mind. Humility, by contrast, is a cure that lies in the heart’s deepest recesses. There is an age-old debate over whether leadership should be guided by heart or mind. The mind favours reason and logic, while the heart brings empathy, kindness and care. This writer fully supports leadership guided by the heart—it brings more peace and calm than the fleeting satisfaction offered by intellectual pride.
Arrogance, unlike humility, is loud and ostentatious—in speech, appearance, behaviour, and even gestures. Men often display it through disdain for colleagues or exaggerated self-worth. Humility, when recognised early in life, can be nurtured. Those who polish it through life’s experiences are truly fortunate.
Arrogance and humility are not even distant cousins; they are complete opposites. If a leader occasionally flashes arrogance while displaying acts of humility, they are not to be trusted. The cloak of humility may simply mask ignorance and insecurity.
“Pride (read arrogance) goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Arrogance invites downfall. Equally, condemning arrogance through greater pride is itself arrogance—not humility.
The first true test of a leader is humility. To boast about being humble is crude arrogance. When a humble disposition is tainted by malice, it reflects deceptive leadership.
Enlightened leaders do not lower their conduct, even when challenged or hurt by colleagues. They maintain positive interpersonal relations, but only when their humility is deep-rooted and genuine.
Humility is quiet, subtle and self-contained. It does not announce itself or seek validation. It is a mindset. Remarkably, it carries a spiritual power that dissolves negativity. Truly humble leaders can disarm their opponents without conflict. While humility can be innate, it can also be cultivated through reflection—by understanding one’s insignificance in the vast scheme of life. A visit to any cemetery confirms that the world is full of once-arrogant ‘indispensables’.
However, humility must not be mistaken for meekness. No one should submit to unreasonable demands under the guise of humility. That would be cowardice, not character. It reflects spinelessness, not strength.
Humility grants calm and composure. It provokes thinking beyond the self. Those who master it find peace and clarity that transcends selfish instinct. As John Bunyan’s shepherd boy sings in The Pilgrim’s Progress:
“He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low no pride.
He that is humble ever shall,
Have God to be his guide.”
Isn’t that reason enough to be humble, knowing that any moment may be our last? No one knows for whom the bell tolls. Ignorance, or worse, impotent knowledge, only fosters destructive behaviour and erodes the divine gift of our shared humanity.
The writer is a Senior Banker & Freelance Columnist.
