Research: Humble Leaders Inspire Others to Step Up
Date
2025
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Lin, X.
Tse, H.
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Harvard Business Review, online, 2025; online
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Abstract
Humble leadership is recognized as a powerful asset in today’s business world, fostering teamwork, trust, and employee well-being. New research reveals that humble leaders not only model gracious behavior but also ignite leadership ambition in their subordinates. Through studies conducted in China and several Western countries, the research found that humble leaders who acknowledge mistakes, value team contributions, and welcome feedback significantly enhance their employees’ workplace status, boosting their motivation to lead. This effect is particularly pronounced among highly individualistic employees who prioritize personal uniqueness and growth because they feel more recognized and empowered by humble leaders. However, collectivist-minded employees may not experience the same benefits, highlighting the need for organizations to combine humble leadership with additional leadership development practices to ensure all employees feel empowered and motivated.
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Copyright 2025 Harvard Business School