Redefining Retail

11Be Humbitious

As noted earlier, the term “humbition” fuses humility and ambition in promoting the value of balancing a humble mindset, which is indispensable when navigating unexplored paths, and a strong drive for success, which is a vital antidote to impervious arrogance.¹

Being a humbitious leader means recognizing that ambition alone can lead to a “hubris syndrome.” The term “hubris,” which derives from Greek mythology, encapsulates the overconfidence that can lead individuals to their downfall. It's today associated with a psychological and behavioural condition characterized by excessive self‐confidence and the tendency to act on confirmation biases, which in turn can perpetuate arrogance and a sense of invincibility. As a result, leaders develop an “inflated ego” and “lose touch with the people we lead, the culture we are a part of, and ultimately our clients and stakeholders.”² This view is confirmed by Paolo Gallo, keynote speaker, author, and coach who explains: “Leaders with hubris are obsessed with visibility. Their image counts more than everything. They usually appoint a director of communication who is totally focused on promoting the persona, their image, their presence on social media more than the company they are supposed to represent. Humble leaders don't care about their visibility, as they are focused on credibility, impact, and reputation.”³

But one can avoid that perilous path by embracing humbitiousness, which encourages leaders to maintain a grounded ...