Have you forgot about humility?

Did you know that humility is a virtue?

Are you asking what is a virtue? Aristotle defined moral virtue as a disposition to behave in the right manner. He went on to say that virtue was a mean between extremes of deficiency and excess, which are vices.

The reason for this topic for my blog is that we (as a society) are being constantly bombarded by promotions and advertisements of people, businesses and events that are the ‘best thing since sliced bread’. I know that you will admit that there is nothing further from the truth.

One of the best examples in my life is a man who owns a clothing store in a large metropolitan area and he does his own speaking in the ads/commentary. While I know why he continues to advertise it is how he goes about it that makes me sick to my stomach.  

In the book ‘Virtuous Leadership’ by Alexandre Havard he states that; “The humble man sees himself as he really is. He acknowledges his weaknesses and shortcomings, but also his strengths and abilities.” It is my understanding that the word humility comes from the word ‘humus’, which is essentially the organic element of soil and is formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microbes and bugs.

So, what has happened in our ability to be humble?

Is it because we believe that we need to brag about all that we do and are in order for people to pay attention to us?

How many of you have heard the following statement; ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know that you care.’? This statement was originally stated by a man named Cavett Robert. Cavett was a profession speaker from the mid 1960’s to the late 1990’s. I believe that this statement that we can all live by.

Many of you may realize that years ago I worked in financial services. I was always intrigued by the balancing act between a person that was extremely successful and how he showed this to his or her clients without looking like he was bragging. Much to my pleasure I came across an article that I will share with you. It was written by Bryce Sanders and it appeared in the Advocis magazine called Forum. Here is the link; https://www.advocis.ca/pdf/Forum/oct18/p29-Prospecting-Pursuits-COL-OCT2018.pdf

As I conclude I want to ask you a few questions;

• Will you take the time to read the above article?
• What is one way you can be humbler?