“It’s hard to be humble,” Muhammad Ali is reported to have said, “when you’re as great as I am.”

The truth is that no one is naturally humble. Becoming humble, in fact, is an arduous process. George Washington, for example, had to struggle his entire life to become and stay humble. As a young man, his ego was enormous. Like the young Benjamin Franklin, his ambition outstripped his accomplishments.

Sometimes portrayed as a stolid, even stony man, Washington in real life was an individual of intense passions. His ability to rein them in has given us the impression today that he had none. This was not the case. A man of volcanic temper, vanity was a constant temptation for Washington; he knew he looked good in his military uniform (first British, then American) and so did the ladies around him. Arrogance of the sort that is heedless of others’ advice also plagued George Washington in his formative years.

An expert social climber and adept self-promoter, Washington displayed an early rashness on the battlefield that helped ignite a global conflagration. As he discovered, it is one thing to want to change one’s lot in life; it is another to be so eager to do so that the means of self-improvement do not matter. Greatness at any price is not real greatness.

In Washington’s early haste to achieve greatness, he sometimes let his ambition outpace his virtue. He gradually realized this, and he calibrated his actions accordingly. Rather than just cloaking his ambition, only to exert absolute rule when given the chance, Washington recognized that the more he served others and the cause of justice, the more his success would matter. The less his ambition was about his own fame, the more he would deserve the honors he received. Virtue in this sense, he discovered, can be its own reward.

Twice given dictatorial authority by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, General Washington did not abuse his power. In fact, he laid down his sword after achieving America’s victory at precisely the peak of power when most conquering generals throughout history have anointed themselves indispensable to political rule.

Greatness of soul spurs people to soar above the rest. Humility issues a warning against flying too high.

Hours of HGTV, repurposing old furniture for his Etsy shop and an affinity towards Architectural Digest are not the things you would think a former NFL player would be into. But it’s true of Joshua Symonette. Besides being a little domestic and artsy, this former Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins NFL football player is a serious leadership development junkie. Joshua flexes that passion for leadership on a variety of platforms, including a leadership development coach. Joshua talks very candidly about the trappings of professional sports and how humility — choosing first to go last — is such an important anchor for any leader worth following, and how we as parents, youth leaders and mentors can help the next generation become a leader worth following.

INFLUNSR defines humility as choosing first to go last.

Read 1 Peter 5:5-6 NLT:

And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Let’s just say a friend wins an athletic event or academic award and are pleased and proud of the results. They invite you out to celebrate. As they proudly retell the story, do you feel an impulse to tell them how they could have done it better? Do you “explain” things to them, signaling that you know more about these things than they do? Do you discourse on how you did it better? Does it turn into a bragging contest, with two people trying to score points on each other? Or do you support them in their moment of triumph, satisfaction, and self-congratulation?

Let’s discuss these questions:

  • Do you offer unsolicited advice to others about how to live their lives better?
  • Do you “fake faint praise” when somebody shares their new idea or new discovery about life?
  • If someone tells a joke, do you feel compelled to top it with a better one? Or, do you hold back on laughing, so the joke falls flat?
  • Do you always have a better story, a better example, a better suggestion, or a better solution?
  • Do you feel compelled to demonstrate your smart you are, or how much you know?
  • Are you a back seat driver?
  • Do you lecture or preach to others?
  • When someone says something that’s mistaken or misinformed, how do you react?
  • If you have a different opinion, do you precipitate a win-lose debate, or do you show respect for the other person’s view as you’re sharing your own?

We asked you to read the story of Abraham Lincoln and his “team of rivals.”

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals, depicts the governing team that Abraham Lincoln forged with many of his previous political rivals. On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.

Let’s discuss these questions:

  • Do you tend to diminish or degrade yourself in front of others? 
  • How can you see yourself the way Christ has made you?
  • Do you understand you have something to offer others for the greater good?

We asked you to ask for and receive your parents’ permission and watch the award-winning film Lincoln.

As the American Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Let’s discuss this questions regarding the movie Lincoln:

  • INFLUNSR defines humility as choosing first to go last. What was the 13th Amendment? Why was passing it so important to President Lincoln? How did this display humility?
  • Thaddeus Stevens downplays his true political beliefs in order to gain passage of the amendment. Do you feel that this makes him more principled or less principled?
  • Of standing one’s ground despite guaranteed defeat, or downplaying one’s beliefs in order to gain a small victory on the path to additional victories, which is more honorable?

We asked you to read the article Learning Humility from Lincoln.

Let’s discuss these questions:

  • Is it difficult for you to push people to the front like Lincoln seemed to do?
  • If a leader worth following is going somewhere worth going, how did Lincoln contribute or detract from this principle?

We asked you to read the article Easter and the Humility Revolution.

Let’s discuss your thoughts about this statement:

“… If our god could submit to death and even a shameful death like [crucifixion] … We have to think differently about hierarchy, privilege, power, service, leadership and all those things…””

We asked you to read the article 4 Ways to Practice Humility in a Self-Centered Culture.

Read Proverbs 13:12 (NLT) and let’s discuss this question:

  • “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

  • If humility is choosing first to go last, have you identified who in your life needs to be spurred on toward love and good deeds?

We provided you ways you could practice humility this past week. Of the ways listed, which did you practice? What did you discover about yourself and others in practicing humility? Which of these is the most difficult for you to exercise?

  • It’s not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.
  • Be of service to someone else…
  • When you are wrong, promptly admit it.
  • Do not care about who really gets the credit…
  • Do the next right thing…
  • Live without extremes….
  • Be a good person who wants to get better.
  • Ask God to direct your thinking.
  • Root for everyone.

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