Humility Can Get You Promoted at Work, Study Reveals

Being humble at work can help you advance in your career, a new study has found.

Climbing the corporate ladder has long been associated with having a dominant, self-serving personality, but humility can also help you progress, according to researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Sussex in the U.K. and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

"Humility is characterized by a recognition of one's limitations and an openness to new information and feedback, which facilitates learning and personal growth," study co-author David Hekman, an associate professor at the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, told Newsweek.

He added: "This growth mindset, in turn, can lead to better mentoring relationships, as individuals are seen as more approachable and willing to invest in others' development.

"Furthermore, humility can enhance social dynamics within the workplace, fostering collaboration and reducing conflict, which contributes to a positive reputation and can make individuals more likely to be recommended for promotions."

For the study, the researchers surveyed 610 leaders across 18 industries and 21 job roles who participated in a leader development program.

The leaders' peers reported how humble they were and their behavior was detailed by their subordinates. Their status was reported by their immediate bosses, while their promotability was assessed by their superiors.

The results found that humble leaders were more likely to mentor others, which boosted their status as leaders. In turn, this meant they were more promotable.

Humble leaders were more adept at viewing themselves accurately, admitting mistakes, and recognizing other people's strengths and contributions.

They were also able to "model teachability"—which the study authors describe as engaging in a "public, messy growth process".

Although it may seem risky for leaders to publicly admit mistakes—for example, when vying for a promotion among rivals—it can actually work in their favor. This is because being humble can cultivate a supportive, trusting network. Meanwhile, choosing a path of dominance can be risky.

"A single error can leave you vulnerable to competitors eager to usurp your position. In contrast, adopting humility surrounds you with individuals who respect and support you. Mistakes are more readily forgiven, paving a slower yet more resilient path to leadership," Hekman said.

The findings show that leaders don't have to fit The Wolf of Wall Street stereotype to succeed. Instead, mentoring others informally and admitting their own shortcomings can help leaders cultivate status and trust.

Hekman explained that the stereotype of the narcissistic, self-serving leader is long-standing because it represents a path to rapid success and high visibility.

"This archetype endures largely because dominance is a common and immediate route to the top. Such behaviors can lead to quick wins and are easily noticed and glamorized, reinforcing the stereotype in popular culture and media," he said.

"However, while this path can offer short-term gains, it often lacks stability. In contrast, humility offers a more stable and less visible route to success.

"Humble leaders typically achieve their status through fostering growth in others, engaging in mentoring, and creating a network of highly capable, loyal, and enthusiastic followers.

"This approach may not capture immediate attention or fit the dramatic narratives preferred by movies and media, making it less visible to the public eye."

Businesses can encourage humble leadership by rewarding humility in performance reviews, the authors wrote in the study.

Organizations can also promote informal mentoring and offer training programs that emphasize how humility can contribute to career success and organizational growth.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Human Resource Management.

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Update 04/08/24, 10:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comments from David Hekman.