TALES FROM THE LEADERSHIP FRONT
In a city known for fierce competition, Jordan, the CEO of a major tech firm, was different. He wasn’t loud or flashy; instead, his approach to leadership was rooted in quiet humility. Jordan had started as a software developer and rose through the ranks not by promoting himself but by valuing teamwork and collaboration. As he moved up, he made a conscious decision to keep his ego in check, believing that leadership was about listening and learning, not commanding.
When Jordan took over as CEO, he inherited a team that felt burned out and disconnected from management. Morale was low, and people didn’t feel valued. Previous leaders had focused on profits over people, which led to high turnover and stalled projects. Jordan knew that he couldn’t fix these issues alone; he needed his team’s input to create real change.
One of his first moves was a “listening tour,” where he met with employees from all levels of the company, asking questions like, “What are we doing right? What are we missing? If you could change one thing about our work, what would it be?” Some employees were skeptical initially, assuming it was just another corporate exercise, but Jordan surprised them. He took notes, followed up, and genuinely engaged with their feedback.
When an engineer mentioned issues with cross-department communication, Jordan created a plan to foster better collaboration. When another employee shared concerns about limited career growth, he revamped the company’s promotion guidelines, making them more transparent and geared toward mentorship. Over time, as employees saw their feedback turn into tangible changes, they began to trust Jordan and feel more invested in the company’s success.
Jordan’s humility extended to how he represented the company externally. In quarterly reports and press interviews, he highlighted the team’s accomplishments, redirecting praise to specific teams or individuals rather than taking credit himself. His approach, which was grounded in respect and a genuine belief in others, started setting a new standard in an industry often led by high-profile, self-focused CEOs.
Under Jordan’s leadership, the company grew steadily, attracted top talent, and gained a reputation for being people-centered. Employee satisfaction rose, productivity improved, and turnover plummeted. The company’s success became a testament to the power of humble leadership.
Jordan taught his team that leadership wasn’t about power or prestige but about genuinely serving others. His motto was simple: “I don’t need to have all the answers. I just need to listen to the people who do.”
How are you practicing humility in your leadership?
