Strength in Humility

Sam Decker had this post about a Navy Seal yesterday that reminded me of the importance that humility plays in the integrity we carry in our professional and personal lives.  So often in today's world, we work very hard to project a positive image.  The world seems to force us into a mode of constantly "selling" ourselves (actually, there is no coercion from the world, it is simply a choice we make - a topic for a different post).  From interviewing for a new job, to jockeying for position on the corporate ladder, to measuring parenting abilities against our friends, conversations tend to be led with the greatness of achievement and the puffing up of pride, but not with the humility to develop authentic relationships.

"Image is what people think we are.  Integrity is what you really are." (John Maxwell)

How much more powerful would it be to simply be who you are and let your achievements be discovered?

How much more can be achieved through a person who is humble spirit?

Which is more important?  To be "loud" about a little success or to quietly accomplish that which others think is impossible.

Spend some time thinking about the relationships and conversations you have each day.  Which are more rewarding?  The ones where you get constantly bombarded with greatness of an person or the ones that allow you to peer into someone's soul and understand the complete person (failures and all).