Humility is an essential virtue to keep us in harmony with ourselves and with our peers. Humble people generally have less conflict in their daily lives and therefore enjoy better emotional well-being.

In this article we will review some tips that will help you know how to be more humble . Bearing in mind that each person has different personality characteristics, it is likely that some tips will be more effective than others depending on each case.

How to be more humble?

In the following lines we will see a list of recommendations to be more humble in our daily life, and in this way have a better relationship with others and feel better about ourselves.

1. Avoid valuing people for their possessions

Note that regardless of the material possessions a person may have, they do not define the actual value that person has . Learn to take more account of aspects of their personality, rather than their possessions.

2. Avoid valuing people by their social position

Regardless of a person’s financial position, or position, those reasons are not valid enough to give us a complete assessment of that person; ideally, you value others by looking at what they do, such as the way they treat others and the way they communicate.

3. Embrace equal treatment

The equal relationships we have with others largely define our humility. If we have the perception that we are above others and constantly demonstrate this in our dealings with them, then we are acting on the basis of an irrational superiority.

The ideal is to keep in mind that no one is more than the others, no matter how different we may be from the others (which there will always be), all people deserve to be treated with respect just because they are people with human qualities, just like us.

4. Consider that you are not always right

Humility is also reflected in the way we express ourselves, and in how we present our views to others.

It is important to know that we are not the masters of absolute reason , respecting the opinions and views of others does not make subjects more humble.

5. Understand and accept when you are wrong

Recognizing when we have been wrong is also a characteristic behavior of humble people. There is nothing wrong with doing so, quite the contrary; when we are able to recognize our mistakes we believe as people (because we learn from them) and we gain in humility.

6. Follow the example of the simple people

We are bio-psycho-social beings, which means that society plays a fundamental role in the way we behave. Just as we influence others.

In view of this, we can learn from the humble people around us , seeing how they behave in certain situations and incorporating some of their behaviours into our daily life.

7. Have confidence in others

This point refers to the fact that in the first instance, the ideal is to give people a vote of confidence, avoiding making negative value judgments on them . Then, as time goes by, such trust will increase or decrease, depending on the relationship between the two.

8. Try to be accessible to others

Humble people are willing to collaborate with others to the best of their ability , and make sure that others notice.

Try to maintain an attitude of collaboration and solidarity with your fellow men, letting them know that you are willing to help them when you can.

9. Do not exceed in your humility

Humility should be a sincere and meditated conduct; it tries not to incur excesses in wanting to help everyone without taking into account the circumstances or how that may affect in some way, being humble does not imply being an omnipotent savior .

Always keep in mind that at some times there will be situations that are beyond your control, or people who do not want your help; all of these situations must be understood and respected. Humility can never be a forced behavior.

10. Be grateful for the good you receive

When we know how to be grateful for the good things that happen to us in life, even if those things are the result of our own efforts , we are doing an exercise in humility.

Giving thanks is as satisfying for the giver as it is for the receiver, it expresses kindness and gives the feeling that you are not sitting on top of anyone.

11. Practice generosity

Generosity represents humility, in all its forms. When we can share what we have with someone who needs it, we are giving more value to the person than to the material objects we possess. And that is what humility is all about, to understand that people are above our goods , instead of considering the latter an extension of our body.

Bibliographic references:

  • Nielsen, R., Marrone, J. A., and Slay, H. S. (2010). A new look at humility: Exploring the humility concept and its role in socialized charismatic leadership. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 17, 33-43.
  • Snyder, C.R.; Lopez, S.J. (2001). Handbook of Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press.