Do you think that humility is a superpower or kryptonite for executives? If you’re like most people, you likely believe the former; being humble will undermine your effectiveness as people will perceive you as weak.

I had the privilege to speak with Urs Koenig, the bestselling author of Radical Humility: Be A Badass Boss and a Good Human. We explored how humility is not just a feel-good quality for leaders. It is foundational to drive exceptional performance; for themselves and for their teams/organizations.

Based on his extensive experience consulting with global companies, we unpack how humility allows us to grow and expand. Contrary to popular belief, Urs shares how humility takes great strength to practice. We also explore several key strategies we can use at an individual, team, and organizational level.

Key Takeaways:

• Common misconceptions about humility.

• Why humility is such an important skill for our personal and professional lives.

• How feedback is the engine that drives peak performance.

• How to create psychological safety in our conversations.

• How to prime conversations for constructive outcomes, even in conflict

  
  

Timestamps

(0:00) - Introduction

(4:55) - The Inspiration Behind Radical Humility

(7:48) – What is Humility?

(10:23) – Why Are There Successful Jerks?

(14:29) – Asking for Feedback Takes Strength

(24:49) – Failure As A Driver for Success

(47:50) – The Power of Psychological Safety

Topics Mentioned:

Humility, Humble Leadership, Meaningful Connection, Asking Questions, Do Good to Lead Well, Asking for Feedback, Curiosity, Psychological Safety, Leadership Success, 360-Feedback

More of Urs:

Urs Koenig is a distinguished figure with a 35-year career spanning UN peacekeeping, NATO command, bestselling authorship, executive coaching, and academia. His keynote speeches emphasize Radical Humility, a vital yet often overlooked leadership trait, offering actionable strategies to drive engagement, self-awareness, and psychological safety within organizations. Urs's practical approach and rich experiences empower leaders to navigate challenges, foster innovation, and unlock their team's full potential for sustainable success in today's fast-paced world.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urs-koenig-ab3828/

Mentions: Fail Well by Amy Edmonson

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/