Studies reveal: Are humble managers also better?
The article reviews recent studies on humility as a key to success in management and daily life. Researchers explain that humility is not a fixed trait but a dynamic skill, and that it contributes to trust, creativity, and mental resilience. Practical ways to practice humility are presented, alongside the complexity of measuring it and its impact on organizational performance.
The article examines the role of humility in management and daily life, drawing on recent studies. Dr. Michal Lehman from the University of Central Florida, a co-founder of the Center for Humility Studies, describes how an experience of awe led her to research the topic. Alongside her, Dr. Anna Dorfman from Bar-Ilan University studies intellectual humility in the context of intergroup conflicts, and Prof. Igor Grossmann from the University of Waterloo deals with difficulties in measuring the trait. A 2022 meta-analysis of 53 studies found a correlation between managerial humility and team trust, employee satisfaction, and creativity, but another meta-analysis found no improvement in the managers' own performance. The article offers practical ways to practice humility, such as speaking in the third person, deep listening, and seeking awe.