Over the past few years I have developed what I refer to as the Six Pillars of Civility. Over the next few months I am going to explore these six qualities, which in my opinion, are crucial to maintaining a civilized society. The qualities are important not only to a society, but also to the communities in which we live, work, and play. I hope these words will give you pause to think about how each of these qualities resonates with you.

Humility

Whether socially or in the workplace, many people bandy around the word ‘Humility,’ and it is often misunderstood. To me, in a nutshell, it boils down to the core principle that there are no ‘big shots’. No matter what our professional position or achievements, no matter our social station, and no matter our wealth or education, we all have value; and on many levels – equal value. Yet our egos have a skillful way of distorting this concept. This is not to say that we cannot hold people in high regard, or that without them our lives would be less fulfilling. But the shoe is often on the other foot, and we too are held in high regard and help to fulfill others’ lives more times than we may ever know.

In a healthy business climate, teamwork is vitally important. This dynamic is sadly missing in too many companies today, and has a severe effect on the bottom line. It is also one of the main reasons why many good employees leave to find employment with companies where such a toxic climate is not present.

Take a moment to consider what the humility level in your place of employment is, especially if you are an executive. Good leaders are measured by their ability to make their employees feel valuable, at least as much as their own performance. If there is a weak link in your business, taking a look at your humility meter may be a good idea!