Ideal team players are individuals who build and facilitate teamwork. They share a blend of three essential virtues—humility, hunger, and people smarts—that enable trust, commitment, and accountability. These colleagues are adept at overcoming the dysfunctions that often derail teams. In particular, humble colleagues do not value status or ego and define success collectively, sharing accomplishments with the entire team. Learn more about how managers can help employees develop a greater capacity for humility.

1. HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES
DEVELOP HUMILITY
P A T R I C K L E N C I O N I

2. 2Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Humility is one of three virtues
of an ideal team player—an
individual whose traits and work
ethic contribute immensely
to the success of their teams.

3. 3Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Humility is the most sensitive
of the three virtues. Cultivating
this virtue is often nuanced
because the source of a lack of
humility is always related—in
some way—to insecurity.

4. 4Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Managers can help an employee develop a
capacity for humility by encouraging them
to get to the root cause of their insecurity
and play the part of a humble colleague.

5. GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE

6. 6Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Figuring out the general cause
of someone’s insecurity can
help put him or her more at
ease and open the door to
future conversations.
GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE

7. 7Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Personality profiles like
Myers-Briggs or DISC can
help increase self-awareness.
GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE

8. PLAY THE PART

9. 9Help Your Employees Develop Humility
When people simply act
humble—ask questions,
compliment others, be
good listeners—they can
experience the benefits of
humility and even an uptick
in their own happiness.
PLAY THE PART

10. 10Help Your Employees Develop Humility
PLAY THE PART
Ask your employees to make
a list of humble behaviors
they want to emulate. Track
their progress over time.

11. 11Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Managers can act as a
coach in this process,
providing immediate praise
or feedback when humility
is demonstrated or lacking.
PLAY THE PART

12. 12Help Your Employees Develop Humility
Leaders should also model humility in their
own behavior, which encourages their team
to do the same.
PLAY THE PART

13. Learn more about helping your
employees develop the core
virtues of an ideal team player.
www.wiley.com/go/patricklencioni
Adapted from The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize
and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues