Palm Beach Gardens Lving - September 2026

12 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 I grew up with the belief that Humility and Leadership didn’t belong in the same sentence. To be a leader, you must be out in front. You must be confident and demonstrate strength. Therefore, how can you be humble? The old mindset was that humility is associated with “meekness,” and, if you were “meek,” you were “weak.” My early experience was that the leadership mantra was about strength, power, and heavy-handedness. “Large and in charge.” In my career at that time, my boss demonstrated a heavy-handed style of getting people to perform. “Do the job, or we will get someone else to do it.” This was my frame of reference until I was exposed to great leaders such as Ronald Reagan, authors John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, Steven Covey, and business leader and former GE CEO Jack Welch. As a result of reading and listening to these leaders, I had an interesting discovery. Each of them had uncompromising values. Each possessed the obvious critical leadership competencies one would expect. Each demonstrated humility and an others-first mindset. Servant leadership at its best. Author Brad Lomenick in his book H3 Leadership states, “Meekness is not weakness. It’s power under control. It’s ambition grounded with humility and lived out in confidence, not arrogance.” I have found this quote to be true. It’s the leader's job to shepherd, not “ be out in front” with the light bulb on your head. It’s true servant leadership. So the overriding question is: How does a leader demonstrate Humility and lead effectively? It begins with a mindset. An attitude that drives behavior. It’s an attitude that puts others ahead of your agenda. Here are some behaviors that demonstrate humility: • Give others the opportunity to share their ideas. Listen more. • Maintain a learning mindset, not “having all the answers.” • Be authentic and vulnerable. Admit mistakes, take responsibility. • Value the contributions of each team member. • Be open to feedback—seek it; that demonstrates a teachable mindset. • Be quick to give credit to others. When the leader demonstrates Humility, trust is built, employee engagement increases, and people feel valued and empowered. Authority, position, title, and relying on fear is not lasting leadership. We influence positive behavior in others when we maintain integrity and empathy. This will build trust. Remember, trust is the currency for leadership. In summary, Humility does not show weakness in the leader. It will make the leader more effective. People will follow willingly. Isn’t that what true leadership is: willing followers? COMMUNITY I Humility In Leadership - By Bob Fashano - “MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS. IT’S POWER UNDER CONTROL. IT’S AMBITION GROUNDED WITH HUMILITY AND LIVED OUT IN CONFIDENCE, NOT ARROGANCE.” Bob Fashano is the founder of Lead One Consulting, LLC, an executive Coaching and Leadership Development Company located in Palm Beach Gardens. Bob Is a certified Executive Coach from the Center for Executive Coaching and a member of the International Coaching Federation. He is the author of a recently released book, "Make Today Your Masterpiece" and a new book to be released in the fourth quarter of 2026. He serves on the Keiser Flagship Advisory Counsel.