What’s the Point of Being Humble

“I am resilient.”
“I know my worth.”
“I am successful.”
“I am proud of myself.”
“I am enough.”

Everywhere you look today, there are positive affirmations. Reminders that we are amazing, capable people “made of stardust.” A little confidence can be a good thing. We certainly shouldn’t walk around feeling inferior to everyone around us. 

Overconfidence is Not Good!

Here’s the thing, though: overconfidence is dangerous. It leads to far more negativity than you would believe at face value. It makes us into entitled narcissists who think the world revolves around them, and lack of humility is one of the top ten mistakes young designers make. 

Ever heard the phrase “a nickel holding up a dime”? It says everything you need to know about why a customer would think it’s OK to berate a new cashier at the store. “I’m twice as important as she is, and she’s making me wait!” 

But the truth is that the person serving you has no more intrinsic value than you do, and no less. 

Another problem is that in a culture of confidence, people feel like they always need to show their best side (often, not even a real side). This phenomenon (which seems to be accompanied with “toxic positivity”) exploded with the popularity of Instagram and got worse with the advent of influencers. People started photoshopping themselves to look more appealing, then filters became a thing. Now it’s even worse – people have AI counterparts that are free of wrinkles and extra pounds. 

“But who doesn’t want to look a little better than they do? What’s wrong with that?”

The problem is that people are starting to compare themselves – their real-life experiences, struggles, and pain – to someone else’s highlight reel. They then wonder, “What is wrong with me?” There’s a large correlation between social media use and mental illness. 

What is Humility? Why is it Important? 

The Oxford dictionary defines humility as “a modest or low view of one’s own importance.” The Cambridge dictionary says it’s “the feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others; lack of pride.” According to Merriam-Webster, it’s “freedom from pride or arrogance.” (Of all those definitions, we feel Merriam-Webster nailed it on the head.)

At Matcha Design, we approach life with biblical, Christian values. Christ showed the ultimate example of what humility is. Philippians 2:8 says “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

For thousands of years, Christians have embraced humility as a basic part of their faith. C.S. Lewis said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” 

A.W. Tozer said, “For the Christian, humility is absolutely indispensable. Without it there can be no self-knowledge, no repentance, no faith and no salvation.” It’s impossible to please God without humility. In fact, some of our clients – who are also believers – include humility as one of their core values!

That said, not everyone is a believer – so what value does humility hold for the rest of us, and leaders especially?

Benefits of Humble Leadership

Anyone who’s ever had a boss who gloated about their supposed achievements and refused to listen to your feedback knows that it’s no picnic. We all want to be heard, to feel respected and empowered to do our jobs. Leading with humility is one way that we can do that for our team.

1. Happier Employees

Don’t you feel better when you work with someone who admits their mistakes and listens to you? Humility in leadership helps employees feel happier and more supported, which provides a boost to employee morale. 

2. Healthier Work Environment

Because employees are happier, the work environment is also improved. People are willing to listen to each other, and communication is better. Humble leaders listen better and acknowledge their mistakes. The result: a better company culture!

3. More Productivity

There’s nothing like micromanagement to make employees want to do the bare minimum. On the other hand, there’s nothing like humility in leadership to make employees want to go above and beyond the call of duty. Great leaders inspire – and by accepting feedback with a humble heart, that’s what you’ll do.

4. Stronger Leadership

Ultimately, humility contributes to a healthier workforce and stronger leadership. Strong leadership is not ruling with an iron fist, but following the true example of strength. Being humble shows you’re willing to look at the business as “all hands on deck,” and you’re not afraid to pitch in and get your hands dirty.

Humble leaders set a good example for the rest of the employees. 

Importance of Humility for Graphic Designers

Humility is vital – not just for leaders, but for designers. Without humility, how can you possibly put yourself in your clients’ shoes? How can you see things from their perspective? 

When you are humble, you can create designs that are relatable. Why? Because you’re thinking of the client. You’re thinking about how you can best serve them. You can’t do that by looking down on them or thinking you know what they need better than they do. 

Not sure where to start for your next project? We’d be honored if you’d consider working with us – please contact us for more information!