296 Global Ethics for Leadership
Modesty in leadership is easily mistaken for weakness. But leaders
that are known for their modesty are also eventually celebrated as hav-
ing been strong and influential. For instance Mahatma Gandhi and Mar-
tin Luther King, two personalities who were known for their modesty
and humility, left strong legacies that inspired and continue to inspire
many people around the world.
Nelson Mandela, his towering personality notwithstanding, was rev-
erenced for his humility and modesty. Commenting on Mandela’s hu-
mility, Edward Marshall said, “I am not aware of anyone who was more
gracious and accepting than Nelson Mandela. No matter a person’s sta-
tion in life—whether you were a coal miner or a president—he treated
you with the same kindness and interest. He did not seek power. For
instance, he gave up the presidency of his country after one term.”
Mandela’s compatriot, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was no less hum-
ble as a leader. Tutu fits the bill of modesty in leadership because his
leadership involved denying self-interests, personal comfort and safety
and limiting personal privileges. He was always ready to, and did, share
the pains of his people both during the time of Apartheid regime and
thereafter.
Humility and modesty do not seem to be considered as good leader-
ship qualities because they are misconstrued as lacking in confidence.
By conventional terms a leader, in order to be considered as such, and be
expected to be successful in this world, needs to be bold, ruthless, stand
out in stature, domineering, and should not show doubt or misgivings.
24.2 Characteristics of Modesty in Leadership
The characteristics of a modest leader are not what many would like
to include in their Curriculum Vitae. Familiar terms like aggressive,
tough, go-getter, firm control, lightning fast decision-making skills are
not the stuff modest leaders would want to associate themselves with. In