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Intellectual Humility Can Make You a Better Leader
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Editor’s Note: It’s an annual tradition for TLNT to count down the most popular posts of the previous 12 months. This is No. 11 of the 708 articles. You can find the complete list here.
Our ignorance is invisible to us, not to others.
We tend to overestimate how much we know — especially when it comes to something close to our reputation. We don’t make wrong decisions because of a lack of facts but of self-awareness.
Intellectual humility involves recognizing that our beliefs or opinions can be incorrect. Humility is a powerful leadership trait. Research shows that humble leaders inspire close teamwork, rapid learning, and high performance.
When we celebrate leaders only for their intellectual brilliance, we can also be promoting arrogance and overconfidence. Being smart is not enough. Leaders should not be blinded by their ego — they must be wise. As Socrates wrote, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
Most leaders operate from a position of moral superiority — they think their opinions matter more than their subordinates’ ideas.
Naive realism is the feeling that our perception of the world is the truth. When something is so immediate and effortless to us, it just feels true. As psychological researcher Chris Chabris explains, “I think we sometimes confuse effortlessness with accuracy.”
Wise leaders embrace their vulnerable side — they want to seek the truth, not to be right.
Most people believe their perception of the world is the right one. As journalist Shane Snow discovered in a survey he conducted, about three-quarters of adults claim they are more open-minded than the average person — which is statistically impossible.
In a separate study, researchers found that most people rated themselves — not surprisingly — as having fewer biases than the average American.
We definitely need to challenge our viewpoints.
Mark Leary, a Duke University professor, defines intellectual humility as, “The recognition that the things you believe in might, in fact, be wrong.”
Unlike regular humility — which is characterized by honesty, sincerity, and selflessness — intellectual humility is about being obsessively curious. You challenge everything — even what you believe is right. It’s not about lacking confidence or changing your mind all the time but about being determined to uncover your blind spots.
Intellectual honesty means leaving the door open, even if you are convinced you are right. You are receptive to new facts — you listen mindfully rather than trying to defend yourself. It requires to always seek for the truth regardless if it agrees with your own beliefs or not.
Conversely, intellectually arrogant leaders promote groupthink — they only pay attention to those who think like them. Diversity of thought is essential to find the best solutions. Arrogance is intellectual blindness.
Leaders who score higher on intellectual humility tests are more open to opposing views, pay more attention to evidence, and have a stronger self-awareness.
Most importantly, intellectually humble leaders are willing to admit they are wrong — they acknowledge their mistakes and learn from them.
Intellectual humility is one of the key traits that Google looks for in new hires. Wise leaders know that solving problems is a team effort — everyone brings something different to the table.
Research on inclusive leadership found that when people observe selfless behavior in their leaders, they were more likely to feel included in the teams.
Wise leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers — they lead with questions rather than with solutions. Their job is to get the best ideas from their teams. That requires putting their ego aside rather and letting go of the need to be always right.
Findings from one study revealed that humble CEOs create a positive influence around them: their teams are more collaborative, transparent, and eager to learn.
In his book Humble Inquiry, Edgar Schein identifies three different forms of humility.
The “here-and-now” challenges the usual power-play — knowledge matters more than formal authority.
As Schein explains.
“My status is inferior to yours at this moment because you know something or can do something that I need in order to accomplish some task or goal. I have to be humble because I am temporarily dependent on you.”
Mark Leary believes that intellectual humility can help us discover common grounds, build better relationships, and be more effective leaders. Unfortunately, many executives would rather fail than to admit their dependence on their subordinates.
We all know that, without mistakes, there’s neither learning nor innovation. However, our culture still associates errors with ignorance. Humble leaders must let go of the need to be (perceived as) perfect.
Appreciate your cognitive blind spots — Realize your ignorance can be invisible. Let go of your title. Decisions should be grounded by facts. Don’t let your ego blind you.
It’s OK to say, “I was wrong” — Contrary to popular belief, people are less harsh with those who admit they erred. Intellectually humble people are seen as more communal and friendly — people prefer a vulnerable leader over an arrogant one.
Leading is a collective act — No one can change an organization alone. It’s time to let go of portraying leaders as the heroes who save the world. Behind every successful executive, there’s a strong group of people. Great leaders develop agents of positive change, not followers.
Separate your ego from your truths — Most people built a reputation on being always right — they believe acknowledging their mistakes would harm their image. Defending one’s reputation at-all-costs is pointless. Put that energy in finding the truth instead.
Integrate opposing viewpoints — Constructive and productive conversations require respect, empathy, and active listening. You must learn to see reality through other people’s eyes. Creativity feeds from abundance, not exclusion — integrate ideas but building on everyone’s thoughts. Apply the “Yes, and…” principle instead of saying “no.”
Create a fearless culture — Intellectual humility removes the fear of punishment — it invites people to speak up and express alternative points of view. Encourage your team to challenge the status quo and your perspectives too. A fearless culture feels safe for people to acknowledge their mistakes and experiment.
Reward wisdom, not smarts — We live in an era where egos make the headlines, but intellectually humble leaders make a difference. Are you open to admitting you were wrong? Do you feel confident enough to realize you don’t have all the answers? Are you willing to preach by example?
We’ll never achieve perfect intellectual humility; developing self-awareness is a lifetime journey. It’s more important to find the best solution than to win an argument. Remember, it’s always better to be wise than to be (perceived as) smart.