The Extraordinary Power of Leader Humility: Thriving Organizations & Great Results

"This inspiring book belongs on the desk of every CEO and politician. With eye-opening case studies and recommended behaviors in every chapter, it's an indispensable user guide for servant leaders."
--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The New One Minute Manager and coeditor of Servant Leadership in Action

On the most fundamental level, leaders must bring divergent groups together and forge a consensus on a path forward. But what makes that possible? Humility--a deep regard for the dignity of others--is the key, says distinguished leadership educator Marilyn Gist.

Leadership is a relationship, and humility is the foundation for all healthy relationships. Leader humility can increase engagement and retention. It inspires and motivates. Gist offers a model of leader humility derived from three questions people ask of their leaders: Who are you? Where are we going? Do you see me? She explores each of these questions in depth, as well as the six key qualities of leader humility: a balanced ego, integrity, a compelling vision, ethical strategies, generous inclusion, and a developmental focus.

Much of this book is based on Gist's interviews with a dozen distinguished leaders of organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, Costco, REI, Alaska Airlines, Starbucks, and others. And the foreword and a guest chapter are written by Alan Mulally, the legendary leader who brought Ford back from the brink of bankruptcy after the 2008 financial collapse and whose work is an exemplar of leader humility.

Dr. Marilyn Gist is professor emerita at Seattle University, where she was formerly associate dean at the Albers School of Business and Economics and executive director of the Center for Leadership Formation. She led the development of Seattle University's leadership EMBA degree program from its inception in 2006 to the rank of eleventh best in the nation by US News and World Report. She speaks and consults widely and previously was a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Washington.