Genuine humility as a counter to the excesses of ego and hubris is undoubtedly a positive thing. But there’s a different type. Maybe a more pernicious one. Perhaps it’s not humility at all, but just appears like it. That is, fear masquerading as humility.

Just as there can be excesses of ego, there can be excesses of humility – when you end up in a state of subtly undermining everything you do and not expressing yourself with any real conviction.

It’s easy to excuse ourselves when we do this. After all, we’re just being humble; being the good guy.

I can’t help but wonder if a lot of the humility we experience is actually the fear of putting one’s neck on the line. After all, it can be daunting to have public conviction in one’s ideas and express them. To step out from the herd and risk being wrong.

Being humble is the safe alternative but, in the end, I think it’s worth asking, who does it serve and does it challenge us to grow?