“For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:21-23

There is a scene in the Bible where Jesus is arrested and Peter lashes out with a knife, cutting off a man’s ear before being called back and rebuked. Publicly humiliated, Peter famously goes on to deny his association with Jesus three times almost immediately afterwards.

Humility was not the hallmark of Peter’s life to that point. He was brash, almost cocky, and over-confident to say the least. But give him this: he was teachable. And judging from what he later penned in 1 Peter 2:21-23, he was humbled. It took awhile for the lesson to sink in, but he clearly understood. At the end of his life he requested that when he was crucified it should be done upside down because he was not worthy to die the same death as his Savior.

Good leaders know that humility is one of the most attractive qualities they can possess. There is a visceral draw to people who are honest about their abilities and limitations. None of us is perfect, none of us above reproach or beyond error. Everyone knows that, but in the competitive world in which we live, it is sometimes hard to admit it. So stop pretending like you’ve got it all figured out, like you’ve got it all together. You don’t, and that’s okay. Show some humility. People want to know you’re in it with them.

And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (See, told you he got it!)