Tapping into the power of humble narcissism

Narcissists believe they're unique and superior, while humble leaders know they're flawed. 

The humble narcissist has grand ambitions but doesn't feel entitled to them. He is also willing to acknowledge his weaknesses and learn from his mistakes.

We're all drawn to someone who shows confidence - that is the reason that narcissists are more likely to be promoted or get elected to political office. But on its own, narcissism is dangerous. It tends to promote overconfidence and it dismisses the criticism.

Adding humility to narcissism prevents capriciousness and complacency. It helps you remember that you’re human.

Admitting the flaws of your ideas makes it tougher for others to come up with their own objections, often resulting in proposing solutions to your problems.

Yet, when we pitch ideas, we worry that they're fragile and we don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot. When we acknowledge our limitations, we seem more credible and trustworthy.

Performance humility is admitting that you fall short and make mistakes.

Those who seek negative feedback get better performance reviews. It means that they want to learn, and they put themselves in a stronger position to learn.

When we focus on hiring people who fit the culture, we end up with people who are similar to us. That prevents the diversity of thought and background.

Cultural humility means recognizing that your culture has room for growth. It's the humility to hire people who will stretch and enrich the culture that may miss certain elements.

The humble narcissist believes they can do extraordinary things but know they always have something to learn.

Even if you don’t start your career as a narcissist, success can make you over-confident. Maintaining humility requires you to have people around you that keep you accountable and are willing to tell you the truth.