The High Calling

We have strong evidence from those who study leadership professionally, as academics, consultants, and authors, that humility is not only helpful to leaders but even something essential, especially if we desire to be highly effective in leading the organizations entrusted to us. Of course, humility alone doesn’t guarantee success. Jim Collins shows that it must be joined with strong will devoted to the thriving of the organization one leads. We might rightly say that humility in leadership is foundational if we are to lead for the sake of others. Read more: https://buff.ly/VOAGuhm

Recently, I’ve been focusing my devotions on humility because Philippians 2 connects humility with seeking what’s good for others. Edgar Schein and Peter Schein, in their writings, help us grasp the value of Humble Leadership, of which Humble Inquiry is a crucial element. If we want to live and lead for the good of others, then we will learn to listen well to them, asking penetrating questions as an expression of our genuine interest in and desire to learn from them. Read more: https://buff.ly/VOAGuhm

The example of Christ in Philippians 2 inspires us to be humble so that we might “watch out for what is better for others” (2:4). Yet, we might wonder if such an approach to life will enable us to be effective leaders. Many in our contemporary culture would say “No. Humility won’t lead to success.” But respected leadership experts Edgar and Peter Schein say “Yes!” They propose that “humble leadership” is essential if leaders want to be effective in today’s world. Read more: https://buff.ly/VOAGuhm

It’s striking to me that the humility of Christ so neatly fits the contemporary academic definition of humility. I doubt that most scholars who think of humility in this way have derived their understanding from Christian faith. But as they seek what humility really is, it’s no accident that they discover what Christ exemplified in knowing himself, “checking” himself, and going beyond himself. Read more: https://buff.ly/i3ZUk0q

Humility isn’t thinking poorly of or looking down on yourself. Nor is it putting on a mask of modesty in order to “humblebrag” about your accomplishments. Rather, according to Daryl Van Tongeren, humility is knowing yourself, checking yourself, and going beyond yourself. We see the “going beyond yourself” dimension of humility in 1 Corinthians, where we are encouraged to seek, not our own good, but the good of others. Read more: https://buff.ly/i3ZUk0q

If we want to be humble, we need to focus less on ourselves and our inadequacies and more on God and God’s superlatives. Read more: https://buff.ly/i3ZUk0q

Years ago, country music sensation Mac Davis sang, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Though his light-hearted song is ironic, it also points to several truths about humility. Humility, according to Philippians 2, is essential if we’re going to live and lead for the good of others. Scripture repeatedly calls us to be humble. This leads to a question: How can we become truly humble? A starting point is to admit to ourselves and to the Lord that this is hard for us. Davis was right. It is hard to be humble. But that recognition, ironically, helps us to grow in humility. Read more: https://buff.ly/HTQYcXF

The “Christ Hymn” in Philippians 2:6-11 shows us that the earliest Jewish followers of Jesus did indeed consider him to be both human and divine. This can encourage us in our faith. Moreover, when we reflect on who Jesus Christ truly is, someone both fully human and fully God, and when we consider what he sacrificed for us and our good, we will be moved and empowered to live and lead for the good of others, in imitation of our Lord and Savior. Read more: https://buff.ly/HTQYcXF

If we want to seek the good of others in our life and leadership, we need to be genuinely humble. True humility will enable us to sacrifice for others in the way of Christ. Read more: https://buff.ly/HTQYcXF

Christ, once in the form of God and equal to God, emptied himself, moving from the highest rung of the ladder to the lowest. He became human, even like a slave. And he chose the way of humility, dying a slave's death on the cross. Therefore, God the Father lifted him higher than all others, giving him God's own name, Lord. In response, all creatures will bow before him in worship and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All of this was instigated by God the Father and leads to the Father's glory. Read more: https://buff.ly/HTQYcXF