Bosses with swagger and outsized egos may achieve notoriety, but they don't
necessarily make the best leaders, new research finds.

According to a study to soon publish in the Academy of Management
Journal, humble leaders are more effective and better liked. Moreover, their
modest style of leadership can lead to stronger organizations, and employees who
constantly keep growing and improving, says study co-author Bradley Owens,
professor of business management at the University at Buffalo.

Researchers from the University at Buffalo and the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee asked 55 study participants in various industries and levels
of management -- from supervisors to CEOs -- to describe the way in which humble
leaders act in the workplace and how their actions differ from those of their
more arrogant counterparts.

Across the board, study participants said that the ability of those in charge
to show others how to grow was key to effective leadership.

Leaders of all ranks said that admitting mistakes, highlighting strengths of
those being led and demonstrating willingness to learn were at the core of
humble leadership, according to Owens' statement releasing the findings. "And
they view these three behaviors as being powerful predictors of their own as
well as the organization's growth."

These humble leaders demonstrate to followers that learning, growth,
mistakes, uncertainty and false starts are normal and expected in the workplace,
according to the study. In turn, those actions produce followers and entire
organizations that constantly keep growing and improving.

For those in leadership positions who seek personal and organizational
growth, researchers offer this advice: You can't fake humility. You either
genuinely want to grow and develop, or you don't. And employees and other
followers recognize the difference.