'SUCCESS WITH HUMILITY'
the organization and its purpose, not themselves. While Level 5 leaders can come in many personality packages, they are often self-effacing, quiet, reserved, and even shy. Every good-to-great transition in our research began with a Level 5 leader who motivated the enterprise more with inspired standards than inspiring personality. (Good to Great, pg. 21)
Solomon put this concept very succinctly. “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” (Prov 29:23) The prideful ego doesn’t win. Posturing and positioning doesn’t win. The humble spirit wins. Image and personality can only take you so far. Humility wins in the long run. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is simply thinking about yourself less. The humble person has an outward focus to make other people excel.
God’s call on our lives begins with humility. We have to humble ourselves before God in order to start a new life. Jesus exemplified a humility that wins even in the face of the most brutal adversity. Paul knew that humility was fundamental to the Christian life. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with… humility” (Col 3:12) Clothing ourselves with humility is a daily process. It is not a ‘one and done’ activity. It must be done with regularity, day after day. The best way to do this is to start the day with prayer. Spending a few moments talking with God about life and the people you are going to impact that day will set you on the humble course that leads to godly success.
Do you put on your humble clothing every day? Are you focused outward to develop other people? Do you ask God to direct your day and give you opportunities to encourage and strengthen the people around you? Everyone is a leader. Everyone has influence in peoples’ lives. Become a Level 5 leader by clothing yourself with humility. That is the paradoxical path to godly success that is measured in the lives of the people around you.
Seeking success God’s way,
Jonathan