Power of the humble CEO

SUCCESSFUL CEOs are associated with many traits, but humility rarely makes the list. This is not because humble bosses are not successful. Rather, it is because humility has rarely been assessed as a desirable quality in a leader.

The common perception is that the humble person is not assertive, lacks confidence, and the ability to motivate others. At worst, humility is equated with being weak. But in the business world, the reality is that there are many successful corporate chiefs who are also humble.

They tend to be low key and work behind the scenes. Hence, they, and the companies they lead, fail to get the same exposure, headlines and general attention as their splashy, egocentric counterparts.