According to The Wall Street Journal, there's a new fad among top-level business executives—it's called humility. The article titled "The Case for Humble Executives" explores the business benefits of this once-unpopular leadership virtue. The article notes: "Among executives, humility 'is the flavor du jour,' says Fred Hassan, a former CEO of Schering-Plough Corp. and author of a book on leadership. Companies increasingly prize humble leaders because they listen well, admit mistakes and share the limelight, recruiters and coaches say. 'The servant leadership model promotes collaboration,' says Dale E. Jones, chief executive of recruiters Diversified Search Inc."

Of course there's one major problem with humble pie for the CEO—you have to actually become humble. Apparently fakes abound—like the former CEO of Krispy Kreme (as in donuts). According to one observer, "He took the limelight. He didn't understand the humility part [of acting humble]." After everyone discovered he was merely faking humility, Krispy Kreme dumped him.

Possible Preaching Angle:

So, there's a little moral to this story: if you want to try out humility, you have to go all the way. Half-measures will avail you nothing.

Source:

Joann S. Lublin, “The Case for Humble Executives,” The Wall Street Journal (10-20-15)