Confidence & Humility in Leadership: Insights from Sackeena Gordon-Jones & Brian Alvo
Leadership requires a balance between confidence and humility, but what does that really mean in practice?
Striking Balance
Recently, Brian Alvo sat down with Sackeena Gordon-Jones, the president and chief coaching officer at Transformation Edge, to explore this topic further. Here are 8 key insights and takeaways from their conversation.
#1 The Emergence of a New Kind of Leadership
According to Gordon-Jones, the leadership that emerges today is different from the directive leadership of the past. It allows leaders to help others by stepping forward with something in which they are certain and confident, but also with a degree of humility. Great leaders know they cannot do it alone, so they surround themselves with people who shoulder them in the work. This creates a space for extraordinary things to happen.
#2 Confidence and Humility are Complementary
Leaders who are authentic naturally exhibit both confidence and humility. Being honest and authentic means being aware of what you know (and don't know), which invites other perspectives or support. Vulnerability is a source of strength rather than weakness, and leaders must show up and be confident about what they know while being open to continuous growth and learning.
#3 Emotional Intelligence is Front and Center
Emotional intelligence is a big part of what's different in leadership today. Leaders must become more aware of themselves, their thinking, values, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as become more aware of others. Humility sits in the space of relationships and understanding who is around you, how they receive you, and how you receive them.
#4 Misconceptions About Confidence and Humility
One big misconception about confidence is that it requires a leader to have all the answers. This is not the case. Leaders must be clear about what they are certain of and bring that to the table. They should also recognize that they do not know everything and should surround themselves with help. On the other hand, humility is not about being weak or powerless. It is about recognizing that no one can do it alone and creating a space for others to contribute to the work.
#5 Compassion is Key
Leaders must also exhibit compassion, both for themselves and others. Compassion allows leaders to bring their lives into harmony and have the courage to believe in something bigger than their fears. Leaders must integrate their head, heart, and guts to make critical decisions that are both empathetic and sympathetic.
Compassion and empathy are essential in today's diverse and ever-changing world. Leaders must understand that everyone's experience is different and that acknowledging and respecting those differences can lead to better outcomes.
Compassion allows leaders to see through someone else's lens and recognize the validity of their experience. It can also help leaders create products and services that better serve their clients and communities.
#6 Creating Psychological Safety
Today's leaders must be mindful of creating an environment of psychological safety where team members feel valued and respected. Leaders need to create an environment where team members feel they have autonomy and are treated fairly. To do this, they must acknowledge that they don't know everything and need the support of a coach or team to fill in the gaps. Leaders who can create this type of environment will foster stronger and more successful teams.
#7 The Importance of Vulnerability
Leaders are often hesitant to embrace vulnerability, as it can seem like a risk to their status and reputation. However, vulnerability can be a strength, according to Sackeena. It fosters trust and authenticity, which are critical for building strong teams. Leaders should reframe vulnerability as a positive trait and recognize that no one has all the answers, and teamwork is essential to achieving goals. Leaders must be willing to recognize their imperfections and leverage their teams to achieve success.
#8 The Value of Humility
Leaders must recognize that they don't know everything and can benefit from the support of a coach or team. Humility is critical in acknowledging one's imperfections and leveraging the strengths of others. Leaders who can approach their work with humility will foster trust and respect within their teams and create a more collaborative work environment.
Final Thoughts
By fostering trust and authenticity, leaders can build stronger teams, create psychological safety, and better serve their clients and communities. Humility is critical in acknowledging that no one has all the answers and that collaboration is essential to success. Leaders who can approach their work with these traits will create a more harmonious and successful workplace.
To learn how to cultivate these skills, learn more about the Foundation for Effective Leadership Program.