Humility Vs Timidity By Bismark Tay

Bismark Tay

AS a child growing up in the small town of Juapong in the Volta Region of Ghana, one cardinal virtue I was taught was humility. My father and mother are two of the most humble people I've known in this world. Their ability to lower themselves such that others can rise is remarkable. I picked this up not only because I unconsciously imitated what I saw but also because they ensured and taught us the hard and soft way to be humble.

But growing up, I realised that at some points, we as humans take humility to the extreme point of timidity. We become so humble to the point of forgetting our self-worth. We then lose our human value to the person we're humbling ourselves to. This is a very big mistake. I've been there too many times but when I discovered the difference between humility and timidity, my life changed completely and it gave me the audacity to do and go to the places I've been. At the Global Leadership Summit last week in Ho, I said something briefly about this and one of the participants asked me to share more with him.  I then decided to share with you as well.

Humility is to speak your mind and act freely without looking down on yourself, feeling inferior, worthless or intimidated by the person next to you. Remember, there is no better human being, there's only different levels of awareness and results. You may be achieving less today but that doesn't represent your tomorrow. So, you don't have to be intimidated by someone's 'today' success, stature, beauty, achievement or position to the extent that you feel inferior to him or her.

You may be on a lower level compared to them today, but you are not a lower class human being compared to them. Your status will definitely change. Therefore, when you find yourself in a position to express yourself, act or share your opinion with someone who has something you don't, be confident and comfortable in your skin and express yourself as a human being of high value, speaking to another human being of equally high value. Remember that, at the point where you're being so humble to the extent of feeling less worthy or important to the next person, you're no longer being humble. You're being timid.

Humility indeed is one of the strongest strengths of great leaders. To accomplish so much and yet to not allow it get to your head; to rise so high yet be able to 'go down' for others to 'go high', to be so powerful yet remember that you are only as powerful as your Maker has made you.
These are not just indications of emotional maturity but they are what make great leaders outstanding.

Therefore, to those who are currently achieving so much, who are occupying so high positions, or blessed to have something more at this time, remember that you are still a human being of the same image, value and likeness of the person next to you. You therefore need to continue being a human being no matter how high you go. Humility is not a sign of weakness, it is a strong indication of emotional and social maturity. It pays to be humble, for God himself is a humble God.

Warmly,

Bismark Tay

(Coach, Speaker, Trainer with John Maxwell Team)

CEO,  Bismark Tay Leadership Solutions

Founder and Executive President, New Generational Leaders Network (NEGELEN)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bismarktay

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