Exploring Humility to Address the Need for Authentic Leadership

Abstract

A focus on the role of virtues in leadership, particularly humility, is gaining steam among leadership circles. However, despite the increase in scholarship, many questions remain. The purpose of the current paper was to explore how identified humble leaders within five organizations were perceived by themselves and their followers. Results showed humble leaders identify themselves as self-aware and open in their leadership. Followers perceive humble leaders to build trusting relationships, are oriented toward others, lead by example, focus on the bigger picture, and possess integrity (authenticity/honesty). The findings revealed humility plays a role in the expression of authentic leader behaviors.