Tag Archives: Humility

Humility is expansive. Arrogance is limited. Many spend their lives believing the reverse.

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“Humility is expansive. Arrogance is limited. Many spend their lives believing the reverse.”

—Stephen St Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Ben White

Humility expands. Arrogance confines. We often flip that truth on its head.

Many move through life convinced that arrogance equals confidence — proof of greatness.

But arrogance is a wall, not a window.

It blocks learning, repels connection, and keeps us circling our own ego.

Humility, on the other hand, opens everything. It invites curiosity, dialogue, and growth. The humble mind has room for innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and honest feedback. It builds bridges instead of barriers.

Ironically, humility makes us stronger because it keeps us coach-able.

Arrogance claims to know. Humility wonders, listens, and learns.

Imagine what would change if we redefined strength as openness, not dominance!

EXERCISE:

Where in your life do you see arrogance closing doors, dulling curiosity, and shrinking your world?

Where do you observe humility making space for wonder, learning, and growth?

How can you expand your world given these perspectives?

“Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot.”

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“Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot.”

—Thomas Moore, 17th Century Irish writer, poet, and lyricist

Image from Unsplash by Antonino Visalli

Humility is not a weakness — it is the quiet power for which our noisy world is striving.

Thomas Moore called it, “That low sweet root, from which every heavenly virtue shoots,” and you can see why.

In an age of selfies, personal brands, and constant “look at me,” humility invites us to step out of the spotlight and back into truth.

It doesn’t shrink your greatness; it grounds it. Humility lets you admit “I don’t know,” so you can finally learn.

It lets you say, “I was wrong,” so you can finally grow.

If you want more wisdom, patience, and compassion in your life, don’t chase them. Cultivate the root: nurture humility.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you cultivate humility as the quiet strength that lets your wisdom, patience, and compassion grow?

Letting others have the last word, apologizing more often, asking for help, and offering more secret acts of service can be wonderful places to start!

“Character is a proxy for quality.”

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“Character is a proxy for quality.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Amazon

Character is more than a moral compass — it’s the invisible standard that determines the quality of everything we touch.

Just as craftsmanship reveals itself in the smallest details, our integrity shows up in how we handle moments no one sees.

Quality work, deep relationships, and lasting success all trace back to the inner fabric of who we are.

You can’t fake character; shortcuts eventually expose themselves.

When we choose honesty over ease and consistency over convenience, we refine the very essence of quality.

In a noisy world chasing quick wins, character remains the quiet craftsman shaping work that endures.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading “The Road to Character” by David Brooks. In this book Brooks explores “resume virtues” versus “eulogy virtues” and argues for a life built on humility, moral struggle, and service.

“An expert is someone who, over many years, manages to remain confident enough to keep trying and humble enough to keep learning.”

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“An expert is someone who, over many years, manages to remain confident enough to keep trying and humble enough to keep learning.”

—James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Image of Pablo Casals from britannica.com

When asked why he continued to practice the cello three hours a day at the age of 93, Pablo Casals answered: “I’m beginning to notice some improvement.”

My dad, who passed away last March at the age of 94, loved golf. He took up this pastime at the age of 69 and played three days a week in almost any weather. Although he was not what others would call an expert, you could find him on most days swinging a dinged-up yardstick and putting on his carpet during commercial breaks of the golf channel or a televised tournament.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional life are you still passionate about enhancing your expertise and mastery?  Where do you remain confident to keep trying and humble enough to keep learning?

“Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars.”

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“Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars.”

—Serbian Proverb

Image from Unsplash by Noah Buscher

Who are the people in your communities that you consider humble and kind?

Sometimes we refer to these special folks as being “down to earth.” What other qualities do you see in them that make them so grounded and solid?

How many of the same people also demonstrate noble qualities? These are the people who not only shine, but they also energize and illuminate those around them. They tend to attract others with a gravitational force that holds things together.

EXERCISE:

If you asked these questions of your family, friends, and colleagues, how many of them would put YOU on their list?

What efforts can and will you take to be this proverbial person in the days and years ahead?

#7: “I long to accomplish a great and noble task…”

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“…but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as if they were great and noble.”

– Helen Keller

People know me as a bit of a junkie for anything to do with personal growth and development. I encourage my clients to reach for the highest heights, realize their visions, and turn their dreams into reality.

And yet life doesn’t always look this way. We all have chores to do, meals to prepare, beds to make, even, for me, cat litter to clean up.

This quote helped me not to struggle with the seemingly small and menial tasks of life. At the end of each day, when I shift from being a business leader and coach that top people come to, I clean the kitty litter, change the water, and make sure the cats’ world is OK.

I could pay someone else to do that for me – but I find some nobility, honor, and humanity in serving these little creatures.

Exercise:

Where can you shift your perspective and find nobility and greatness in your small, daily tasks? It’s easy to think that the drudgery isn’t our “real life” … but we need to find that nobility in the day-to-day.

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