Leadership: How humility expands the talent pool

To test whether these findings also hold in Western cultures with their many individualistic employees, the research team conducted a follow-up study in 2021 with 210 participants in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They found the same pattern: humble leaders motivated others to take on leadership roles themselves.

"Behavior characterized by self-awareness, appreciation for the contributions of others, and a willingness to learn signals respect and recognition," the researchers write. This can help team members build the self-confidence needed to see themselves as future leaders. © HBP 2025