What is humility with examples

[Baihai18o]

I was told off by boss for not having humility and would like to fix this to get on better. Can you please tell me what exactly is humility by your understanding with examples please. Yes I have seen it in the dictionary but don’t know how to put into practice. I must not lose my job. Thanks in advance

What did you do that led to the conversation with your boss?

That's quite an odd thing for your boss to say. What is your job? Why were you told off?

That's quite a weird thing to say to you?

Unilityis a wuality of being humble.

A lack of humlity is where someone praises themselves to others or a person with massive ego.

Sorry, typing with my left hand whilst eating

+humility

Putting other people's needs or views before your own. Not being arrogant

Being tolerant of others and understanding when other needs Means that yours don't get met

Being more self effacing.

Yes the boss said it wasn’t possible to promote me at this time because when dealing with clients/customers I don’t show enough humility

more details/ examples please

thanks

In that context - dealing with customers - maybe listening carefully and sincerely and then responding accordingly, referring to points they've made and giving realistic solutions and assurances? In a manner which is deferential rather than arrogant or all-knowing.

I would say showing humility with clients/customers would be along the lines of ensuring they feel front and centre or your service, that your words and actions positively speak that you view yourself as no better than them in any way, but grateful for the opportunity to serve and do your best by them.

In the context of customer service, I think it's the 'service' aspect. So being deferential, apologising at any small transgression, going over and above, making sure the customer's happiness and satisfaction is your sole function and priority.

Ie pretend they are King Charles and you are the junior equerry.

Put your own feelings and reactions aside and pretend you care even if you don't is the practical answer.

Op
Listen to yourself! "More details/examples please"

Is a great example of not having humility. It's is demanding and arrogant.

How could you rephrase this to have more humility?

Eg " can anyone else give me N example please? I'm struggling to get my head around this"

Much more humility

The feedback from your boss about not showing "enough humility" when dealing with clients or customers suggests that they feel your interactions might come across as too assertive, self-centered, or lacking in the acknowledgment of others' perspectives and contributions. Humility in a professional setting often means demonstrating respect, openness to feedback, and a recognition that one doesn't have all the answers or control over outcomes.

although if the job gets done and the customer is happy then i never understand why bosses then still have their view on how x should be if the goal is still being achieved just because they think it should be x instead

Ah good point thank you.. so maybe phrasing more politely?

Ah good point thank you.. so maybe phrasing more politely?

English is not my first language.. more examples very welcome

thanks so far

I would see it as lack of ego and arrogance. So in your interactions with clients, it would mean speaking to them as an equal and respectfully. Not presuming rightly or wrongly that you know more. If someones field of expertise is different from yours then respect that they know more than you about this particular thing. Listen attentively to others, not just enough to jump in with your own contributions. Not cutting across people. Less curt in correspondence. More thanks. Less expectation that people will do that you want, and more appreciation when they do.

You might need to ask colleagues and friends or family. I can be difficult to pin down specific examples. Tone of voice, body language, how you enter a room can all contribute.

Are you quite direct with customers?

Accepting criticism or feedback, admitting you don't know everything or have all the answers, acknowledging mistakes, being willing to learn and improve.

Showing respect to clients even if their request is ridiculous or impossible. Eg 'thats a great idea but unfortunately our system doesn't have that capacity at the moment ' or 'that's really helpful feedback' .

Out of interest, is your boss male? Unfortunately a woman being assertive and confident in the workplace could be seen as not deferential enough by some men🙁

Just watch me. I have loads of humility.
Bigly loads.

One example that has stayed in my mind that illustrates humility is when I’d just started work at 17. I was a clerical assistant in the civil service. The lowest grade level. I was with my parents and they bumped into an acquaintance. Acquaintance was introduced to me and he asked what I did. I said I had just started working in the civil service. He asked a few questions and I asked what he did. He said ‘I’m in the civil servant too.’ What he didn’t say was that he was something mega high up in the Home Office, which my parents told me later. He could easily have made me feel like an insignificant typist/switchboard operator or could have boasted about his v important job, by letting me know his status, but he was humble, tactful and kind and I’ve always remembered that over 40 years on.

Cultural clashes maybe? Whats normal in your home country being perceived differently here?

Listen and take seriously other people's ideas even if you don't agree with them. Don't make out that you're too important for your role. Treat everyone the same.