Originally found at BBN Times, by John Eades.

There is something remarkable about humble leaders.

It could be the way they make you feel when they communicate; it could be the fact that you feel drawn to going out of your way to be a part of what they're doing; or it could be the way they model what you want to become.  

According to research in the Academy of Management Journal, humble leaders actually "embolden individuals to aspire to their highest potential and enables them to make the incremental improvements necessary to progress toward that potential." 

Being a humble leader pays off in the performance category, but what's most remarkable is the vast majority of humble leaders have every reason, because of their accomplishments to reject humility, but instead they embrace it. They don't just talk about it, but it's built into who they are and how they lead. It's as if deep down, they understand that the path to effective leadership is paved with humility, not pride.

Great leaders understand that the path to effective leadership is paved with humility, not pride.

Most leaders grasp this concept because, before their achievements, they encountered strain in the form of failures, challenges, and or heartaches.

Continue reading the original article at BBN Times.

Read the original research in Academy of Management Journal.

Learn more about the AOM Scholars and explore their work:

• Bradley P. Owens, Brigham Young University
• David R. Hekman, University of Colorado