In our fast-paced industries, where competition for ideas, clients, promotions, and accolades is rife, we often prioritize winning over growing. The problem with such a win-lose approach is that it ties our self-worth to the external markers of success, making us lose sight of our internal development. This is where humility becomes not just a characteristic but a superpower, enabling us to redefine our understanding of success and fueling our personal and professional growth.   

To truly appreciate humility's transformative power, we must examine its implications on four crucial aspects of our professional lives: our relationship with failure, our self-honesty, our expectations, and our honesty with others.  

Our relationship with failure: From an early age, we're conditioned to avoid failure at all costs. But in the real world, everyone fails. In fact, every masterwork - whether in technology, art, or cuisine - is the result of countless failed attempts that ultimately led to success. Author Mark Manson says, “If they aren’t willing to fail, they aren’t able to learn from their mistakes. If they never learn, they’ll never grow and develop into something more. If you’re not willing to fail, you guarantee you’ll stay average-at-best.” Embracing failure as an opportunity to learn is critical, and humility makes us appreciate this vital role of failure in our journey toward excellence.  

Honesty with ourselves: All of us want to believe that we are without fault, we’ve never made a mistake, and we’re the best versions of ourselves all the time. But, we also know that this is often not the case. That is why the feedback process is so critical to true and meaningful growth. To be successful in an agency environment, you must be coachable. By actively seeking feedback and maintaining an openness to improvement, we foster an environment of continuous learning. The humility to acknowledge our faults, not just our strengths, turns failure into a constructive force.  

Our relationship with expectations: We all operate within a set of expectations, self-imposed or societal. These expectations often stem from fear and hinder us from exploring the unfamiliar. Conformity to norms and denial of self -- are dangerous in a creative profession. We must have the courage to focus on what’s possible and be willing to lean into the unknown. The Greek philosopher Epictetus says “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” There is a bravery in people who question the way things are and focus on what might be. Humility fosters resilience, encouraging us to break away from societal constraints and seek out unconventional paths.  

Honesty with others: Even in the most collaborative of organizations, there exists an underlying fear of giving true and honest feedback. People may hesitate to give great feedback because they want to avoid conflict or prefer to be “nice” instead of honest. But often, this creates an environment in which people are simply stewing in their frustration with things they wish would change. It’s been said so many times: nothing changes if nothing changes. In a creative environment, we know that the best ideas come from conflict and tension. When feedback is given with the motivation of helping someone to become a better version of themselves, it’s the ultimate act of kindness. It shows someone that you care enough to invest your time and energy to help them create positive change. With humility, we can give and receive feedback as a vital tool for improvement. It's not always comfortable, but it's necessary to foster positive change.  

In the competitive realm of advertising and creative work, fostering a culture of humility can be transformative. Agencies and organizations that embrace humility as a core value can promote transparency, honesty, and sustainable growth. As leaders, cultivating humility in ourselves and our teams encourages learning mindsets, effective collaboration, and resilience in the face of constant change. Humility, then, is not merely a trait - it's an engine that powers innovation and collaboration. As we navigate the dynamic landscapes of the advertising and creative industries, humility equips us with the tools to grow beyond external metrics of success and focus on meaningful, sustainable development. It's high time we recognized humility as the superpower it truly is.