How would you describe a humble person? If you’re looking at the screen right now with a blank stare, you’re not alone. Humility is a quality that requires a paradox. It requires a person to know he or she is so competent and qualified that they in return don’t even talk about it. It requires a person who has extensive amounts of knowledge to admit he or she lacks knowledge. More about this paradox is in the definition from Vocabulary.com. Why would someone want to be humble? Because it earns respect and no one likes a boastful jerk who knows they’re better than everyone else. Like vocabulary.com said, though, if you’re saying you’re humble, then you’re not being humble. Ugh! The struggle is real. Instead of striving for humility, I like what Drake said in his song “0 to 100/The Catch Up”. The rapper goes on to say around the 3 minute 50 second mark of the song that “being humble don’t work as well as being aware.” I think he’s talking about Self-Awareness and Situational Awareness. Before you can be humble, you need to be aware. Thank you Drake.
What it means to be “self aware” is up for debate. In my mind it begins with observing your own thoughts and actions. If you’re not already in the habit of doing this, it will seem uncomfortable at first. Remember that with any self improvement activity, it’s important to accept yourself the way you are. If there is something about yourself that doesn’t align with who you want to be then take steps to change the thought or behavior pattern. All self improvement begins with self-awareness.
Why self-awareness?
Know yourself
Have better relationships
Gain insight into your strengths and areas of improvement
How does one become more self aware? The Harvard Business Review has Five Ways to Become More Self-Aware.
Meditate
Write down your key plans and priorities
Take psychometric tests
Ask trusted friends
Get regular feedback at work
Choosing to work on just one of these ways will help you become more self-aware and lead you down the path of being humble.
Forbes has an article describing the 13 Habits of Humble People.
The first habit they list of humble people is situational awareness.
Why situational awareness?
Ability to choose behaviors and actions based on your external environment
Gather information for strategic decision making
Helps you belong in a group of people
The Art of Manliness has a great read on how to develop your situational awareness. What they don’t touch on is the last point mentioned above of why to focus on situational awareness, “Helps you belong in a group of people”. Have you ever been in a group setting and there’s a person who just “doesn’t get it”. Maybe he is standing up and walking around when everyone is sitting. Or she is talking about a topic that isn’t being discussed. Maybe you have been this person. I have. As someone who has felt like a person who doesn’t fit in and just doesn’t get it, situational awareness has been a game changer for me. Take a moment to look around before you take action or speak up. What is happening around you? Look to someone you admire in the room and do what he or she does. If no one else is making jokes in a meeting, don’t make jokes. If the person you are talking to is looking uninterested in what you’re saying, end the conversation or change the subject. It’s not saying that you aren’t interesting or funny. It’s just saying that some situations call for different actions and behaviors. Being aware of your audience and the circumstance is a large part of being situational awareness.
What exactly did Drake mean when he rapped “Being humble don’t work as well as being aware”? My interpretation is that you can’t be effective by acting humble if you are not self-aware and situational awareness. Acting humble doesn’t make you humble and if you’re trying to be humble then likely the opposite will be perceived by others. Begin with being aware because that will lead you to being humble.
Comments