A brief synopsis of the book
Humilitas is
basically Latin for humility and that is what this book is all about, humility.
The author starts
of with a thesis of what he believes humility is and why it is important to be
humble. He defines humility as “the noble
choice to forgo your status, deploy resources or use influence for the good of
others before yourself… The humble person is marked by a willingness to hold
power in service of others.”
He explains why
we should pursue humility.
1. It
is common sense
“What we don’t know and can’t do far exceeds
what we do know and can do. A little humility, then, is hardly rocket science.
It is common sense.”
2. It
is beautiful
He gives a couple
of examples of people we admire because of their humility.
3. It
generates abilities
“Perhaps the most obvious outcome of being
humble is that you will learn, grow and thrive in a way that proud have no hope
of doing.”
4. It
lifts those around you.
He gives some
examples of humble heroes.
5. It
creates harmony.
It doesn’t mean
that you compromise on convictions. “Humility
applied to convictions doesn’t mean believing things any less, it means
treating those who hold contrary beliefs with respect and friendship.”
6. You
simply cannot lead without it.
You can’t
persuade people if you can’t connect with them and you are going to find it
hard to connect with people without some humility.
He gives a very thorough
and interesting explanation as to why the ancient world didn’t like humility
and then moves on to explain how Jesus redefined greatness for all man kind.
He closes the
book with 7 steps that would help you to become more humble.
1.
Recognize
that you are not humble.
2.
Start loving
humility because “we are shaped by what
we love.”
3.
Reflect
on the lives of the humble.
4.
Visualize
yourself being humble before you move into the “tempting” situations.
5.
Act
humbly. You need to exercise the humility muscle because actions influence
thoughts.
6.
Invite criticism.
Constantly ask others for input.
7.
Forget
about being humble. (Don’t try to appear to be humble.)
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