Real Leaders Don't Need a Title - The Power of Humility in Leadership

Leading You

Have you ever wondered what sets truly great leaders apart from the rest?

Is it their charisma, their decision-making skills, or perhaps their vision?

According to Chris Smith, an expert in leadership and aviation counselling, it’s something much simpler yet profoundly impactful: humility.

Recently I was lucky enough to sit down with Chris, and he shared some wonderful insights from his book Leadership at 43,000 Feet on how humility shapes effective leadership.

Chris has had a broad and winding career, trying multiple paths before finding his true calling in aviation. From this experience, Chris saw that the best leaders he encountered weren’t driven by personal gain, instead they were motivated by something bigger than themselves. He references respected leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Barack Obama as individuals who demonstrate remarkable humility.

Respect plays a crucial role in leadership. Chris shared that whether in the cockpit or managing a company, treating people with respect ensures they feel safe enough to communicate openly. Now this isn’t something you can buy. It’s built through consistent, respectful actions and a genuine concern for team members. If you can earn that respect then people will continue to follow you, even through challenging times.

Towards the end of our conversation, we spoke about legacy which is not only is it a major theme of Chris’ book but his main reason for writing it. He wanted Leadership at 43,000 Feet to give his children and grandchildren a deeper understanding of who he is beyond just ‘Dad’ or ‘Grandad’.

He also opens up about living away from family due to work commitments and urges us to find a balance between career ambitions and our personal lives. In the long run, what truly matters is maintaining close personal relationships, as the time lost cannot be reclaimed.

Leadership is complex, and often, we overlook the simplest but most profound qualities that make the best leaders stand out. So, take a moment today to think about your own leadership journey. Are you leading with humility? Are you respecting the people you work with? These small shifts can create lasting changes, not just in your professional life but in your personal life as well.

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-smith-0080374b/

His Book: www.booktopia.com.au/leadership-at-43000-feet-chris-smith/book/9781923007659.html

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

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