Dr. Amer Kaissi is an award-winning Professor of Healthcare Administration at Trinity University, Speaker, Executive Coach, and author of Humbitious. A good leader often has a healthy balance of low ego and high ambition. If you’re looking to create long-lasting change and longevity in a company, it comes down to balancing the humbitious approach. Amer shares how busy business leaders can experience a sense of profound transcendence, get their ego in check, and practice a bit of humility.

Key Takeaways

[2:30] Dr. Amer grew up during the Lebanese civil war and he shares how this profound experience has shaped the way he thinks about leadership today.

[6:25] Jim Collins proposed a concept of Level 5 leadership, and this framework shaped a lot of what Dr. Amer’s book, Humbitious, is about.

[8:35] In the short term, power and ego are very important. However, long-term leadership effectiveness has the humbitious approach.

[11:10] The aggressive leader vs. the passive leader. Neither is a good approach, but every leader must find a balance between the two.

[15:00] Dr. Amer shares strategies to work through imposter syndrome.

[18:55] Genuine humility can be an indicator of a lack of confidence. These leaders need to have their voices heard.

[20:45] Humble leaders might not feel the need to step up for themselves, but if you frame it from the advantage of the team, they will begin to understand why it’s important to speak up.

[27:50] Dr. Amer shares the important impact of love in the workplace.

[30:30] It was not too long ago that leaders would give advice to management to never show emotions because it was perceived as weak. Dr. Amer admits this is horrible advice.

[31:30] Dr. Amer explores the importance of human touch in the workplace. Leaders are often afraid to have it be seen as an HR complaint.

[33:30] We overcomplicate certain topics because we’re too afraid to have the conversation. Do you want to touch? Have the conversation.

[34:55] Dr. Amer shares what role “transcendence” plays in a leader’s emotional wellbeing.

[36:10] When you’re deep in nature, it can almost feel like your own ego is dissolving.

[37:15] Arrogance can make you feel like you’re the center of the universe.

[39:20] If you want to lead, you have to read.

[41:35] Listener challenge: Humility is a strength, not a weakness. It’s a superpower when combined with ambition.

Quotable Quotes

• “Leaders who combine humility with ambition are those who will leave a long-lasting impact.”
• “Take some time to think about what you’ve achieved in the last five years. Most people who have imposter thoughts are comparing themselves to an ideal version that’s impossible to achieve.”
• “As we all know as coaches, a strength that’s overused becomes a weakness.”
• “The research was very clear that the NBA teams that touched more and celebrated more ended up succeeding more.”
• “Pause and reflect on all the things that are bigger than you. That may be nature, but it could also be the whole universe, history, or God.”

Resources Mentioned

• Theleadershippodcast.com
• Sponsored by: Darley.com
• Amerkaissi.com
• Dr. Amer on LinkedIn
• Dr. Amer on Twitter
• Grab Dr. Amer’s book: Humbitious: The Power of Low-Ego, High-Drive Leadership
• Jimcollins.com
• Jeffreypfeffer.com
• Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin