Ideal Team Player: Part 2 - Humble

Great teams thrive on trust, clarity, and accountability. Humility—one of the virtues from The Ideal Team Player, by Patrick Lencioni —is often the root of all three. When team members stay humble, personal agendas fade, and what’s best for the company rises to the surface. This shift isn’t just nice-to-have; it’s crucial in creating a high-performing, functional culture.

Humble individuals aren’t afraid to admit mistakes. Instead of defending their decisions, they learn from them. This openness fosters trust. As Ken Blanchard said, “Don’t think less of yourself, just think of yourself less.” This mindset clears space for collaboration and ensures that no single ego overshadows the company’s goals.

Teams lacking humility often struggle. Arrogant or self-serving behaviors create tension, reduce communication quality, and erode trust. Without humility, honest feedback becomes rare, making it tough to solve Issues or advance your Rocks effectively.

Businesses running on EOS® strengthen humility by modeling it at the leadership level. Own your missteps, give credit freely, and make it safe for others to do the same. Ensure that you and all employees meet this standard, hold each other to it, and openly discuss the importance of humility during quarterly conversations.

Humility sets the tone for a forward-focused culture that values growth over recognition. Embrace it, and watch your team’s trust, camaraderie, and results grow stronger every quarter.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Are you truly humble? Let’s talk: brent.stromwall@eosworldwide.com.