IT Careers: A Little Humility Goes a Long Way

Posted on Wednesday Sep 14th 2011 by Dennis McCafferty. Filed under: IT Management

Humility is not the first character trait that generally comes to mind when one thinks about what it takes to rise up the corporate ranks. Yet, some of America's most successful executives are those who cultivate a quiet strength to create a winning corporate culture. The book Start With Humility: Lessons from America's Quiet CEOs on How to Build Trust and Inspire Followers (GreenLeaf Center/Available now) will teach you how you can use tiny gestures, sincere empathy and consideration to transform yourself from a boss into a leader. Authors Merwyn. A. Hayes and Michael D. Comer come up with an all-inclusive gameplan that will help you build meaningful alliances - from the lowest rungs of the corporate ladder all the way through the C-suite. Merwyn is CEO/president of The Hayes Group International, a consulting firm that focuses on people issues within organizations. Comer is a consulting partner with the Hayes Group. Here are 10 highlights:

  • First-Person, PluralUsing "we" instead of "I" instantly wins the support and respect of your team members and colleagues.

    First-Person, PluralUsing "we" instead of "I" instantly wins the support and respect of your team members and colleagues., IT Management

  • Check that EgoA strong ego fuels confidence and drive. Excessive ego leads to arrogance, hubris.

    Check that EgoA strong ego fuels confidence and drive. Excessive ego leads to arrogance, hubris., IT Management

  • Respect from the Bottom Up Beyond colleagues and C-suit executives, the way you interact and engage with everyone in your organization -- including administrative assistants and mailroom clerks -- greatly influences how you're perceived.

    Respect from the Bottom Up Beyond colleagues and C-suit executives, the way you interact and engage with everyone in your organization -- including administrative assistants and mailroom clerks -- greatly influences how you're perceived., IT Management

  • Shape Your "Authentic Core"Who you are is evident in how you respond to criticism, handle failure, adapt to change and respond to success, among other factors.

    Shape Your "Authentic Core"Who you are is evident in how you respond to criticism, handle failure, adapt to change and respond to success, among other factors., IT Management

  • Press the Pause ButtonWhen you allow three seconds of silence before answering a question, you project that you're putting sincere thought into the answer.

    Press the Pause ButtonWhen you allow three seconds of silence before answering a question, you project that you're putting sincere thought into the answer., IT Management

  • Be a Great PoliticianMake everyone who visits your office feel like a VIP and you'll build lasting good Karma.

    Be a Great PoliticianMake everyone who visits your office feel like a VIP and you'll build lasting good Karma., IT Management

  • Remove Physical BarriersGet out from behind your desk when you engage. Walk away from the podium during a presentation.

    Remove Physical BarriersGet out from behind your desk when you engage. Walk away from the podium during a presentation., IT Management

  • Be PunctualIt's a sign that you value other people's time as much as your own.

    Be PunctualIt's a sign that you value other people's time as much as your own., IT Management

  • Don't be Afraid to Get ToughYou can tackle issues head-on while still treating those involved professionally. This puts the focus on the situation not the people.

    Don't be Afraid to Get ToughYou can tackle issues head-on while still treating those involved professionally. This puts the focus on the situation not the people., IT Management

  • Build Your NetworkSet a goal of meeting five new people in your company every week - and remember their names the next time you see them.

    Build Your NetworkSet a goal of meeting five new people in your company every week - and remember their names the next time you see them., IT Management