Humility is the one of the most over-rated “virtues” in the human race and is a dangerous saboteur of success. Now, before you react indignantly to this, give me a chance to explain why I am such a vehement opponent of humility – read on and all will be revealed.

So humility is defined as “the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc.”

The adjective humble is also defined below for completeness.

—Synonyms

lowliness, meekness, submissiveness.

–Adjective

1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.

2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.

4. courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.

5. low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of the galaxy.

Frankly of the above, the only definition I am marginally comfortable with is 4, i.e. “courteously respectful”. As for the rest – subservient, lowly, inferior… – I find them galling and insulting at best. And yet, most of us are brought up to be “humble” and “modest” like it’s a good thing! In my own experience and as many of my clients and acquaintances have confirmed, as children, most of us were encouraged to be humble, not get “too big for our boots / britches”, yada yada yada. (Americans, you may note relate to this as much as Brits & the rest of the Commonwealth).

At the same time however we are expected to “do well”, “make something of ourselves” and generally be independent and financially successful. Here’s the rub – most people who really “do well” financially have incredible self-belief and the ability to promote themselves and their message and/or product and bully for them I say. Modest they’re not, they take credit for their accomplishments and more power to them. Quite often they also are comfortable with not being “liked” by everyone – you can’t please all the people all of the time after all, is the prevailing view.

The problem is, that with the inbred “modesty” so many are afflicted with, taking credit for genuine accomplishments, increasing one’s personal profile, being forthright about ones skills and talents are in direct conflict with the need for humility and all too often, humility wins and the individual loses and feels miserable in the bargain, confused about why the other guy/gal always seems to win.

So I’d like to offer a new, more empowering definition of humility – try it on for size before you reject it out of hand.

Humility – being no more than you are and also being no less than you are. Laying claim to the sum total of your talents and accomplishments and nothing less. Owning all your skills, pleasing attributes and abilities without self-deprecation or false modesty.

Give it a go – get comfortable with being all of you, expressing all of you and projecting all of you – where ever you go, who ever you’re with. That’s authenticity.