Bah Humbug to the “Humble-Brag”

If I still drank coffee I would think it would have spewed out my nose when I heard this phrase on an early morning ad. “If you want to Humble-Bragg…” – none of us need be surprised language is being used even more to reflect and promote heightened selfish behavior in American society. Guess we need to break a secret to those who created and/or use this phrase (or behavior) and that would be…you can’t be humble and brag at the same time…at all. It’s a selfishly motivated oxymoron used to rationalize and empower the moronic. It’s basic. It is thievery. It is robbing the basic, loving, critical concept of humility and crapping all over it providing another opportunity to feed the ego. Think about how people hear this language slipped into ads, social media and TV…sad, really. Real humility, the one recognized by the universe, is pure and without care of the ego…it is why they created this exact word.

Staying humble and practicing humility is a great way to level-up in all ways. Here are 20 ways to stay humble at work:

1. Be approachable as people can sense your vibration and energy (Heart Math Institute says ‘from 30 feet’)

2. Attempt to be better every day

3. Encourage and assist your colleagues on their professional development journey

4. Remain modest when successful and during prosperous times.

5. Help others and support your colleagues when needed

6. Show curiosity with a willingness to hear different perspectives

7. Be courteous and respectful to everyone.

8. Modesty: Let your efforts speak for who you are

9. Demonstrate gratitude

10. Take accountability for your performance and acknowledge when you make errors.

11. Listen to others' thoughts and opinions without disrupting or rejecting them.

12. Accept criticism with, “thank you.” Remember, it is about growth!

13. Accept your limits and seek help before and/or when it is needed

14. Give positive recognition where it's due and provide validation and respect to your associates.

15. Have a positive growth mindset and be willing to feel like a beginner on the path to learning.

16. Avoid office politics and abstain from contributing to gossip levels.

17. Celebrate successes humbly and consider that your success had others involved.

18. Be willing to change your mind when offered new and/or more data.

19. Practice empathy: Try to understand the challenges others face and be compassionate in your interactions.

20. Recognize that accomplishments are frequently the outcome of a cooperative, combined effort.

There is no way to “humble-brag”…it is almost amazing that we have to discuss the topic. If you have read this far you are likely not someone who partakes in the behavior. Of course there are times when we share some excitement about successes or a vacation…but if someone is bragging they are not coming from a positive energy that is about honest, pure sharing.

Wishing you a great day!

All my Best!

Dave