Humility

A realistic sense of one's limits and importance, joined with openness to others.

Reach for it when praising grounded self-knowledge rather than self-belittlement

Scientific humility led the group to publish what the study could not establish.

• playful

  beginner's mind

  curiosity and release of expertise suit an informal reflective context

  not when The borrowed philosophical phrase can be superficial when detached from its tradition.

• everyday

  groundedness

  a stable, realistic sense of self is central

  not when Groundedness can describe calm practicality without any relation to pride.

• everyday

  modesty

  restraint in talking about one's achievements is meant

  not when Modesty concerns presentation and can hide private arrogance.

• warm

  humbleness

  the familiar personal quality is being named directly

  not when Humbleness is less natural in polished prose and can imply low status.

• professional

  teachability

  willingness to learn and revise is the practical virtue

  not when Teachability is one result of humility, not the whole quality.

• formal

  unpretentiousness

  lack of display or social affectation deserves praise

  not when Unpretentious style does not guarantee openness to being wrong.

• literary

  self-effacement

  deliberately staying out of the spotlight is intended

  not when Self-effacement can become unhealthy erasure and is not required by humility.

• arrogance
• vanity
• hubris

• show humility

  Strong leaders show humility by changing course when the evidence changes.

• intellectual humility

  Intellectual humility makes disagreement safer and inquiry sharper.

• humility and courage

  The apology required both humility and courage.