Leadership Paradox #1: Confidence vs. Humility
- Ralph Cochrane
- Aug 19
- 1 min read
The best leaders know when to lead loud—and when to listen quietly.
When I first started coaching leaders in mining, I met a site manager—let’s call him Doug—who was sharp, experienced, and confident. He made decisions quickly and ran a tight operation. But something wasn’t clicking. His team wasn’t engaged, turnover was high, and morale was tanking.
In one of our sessions, I asked him, “How often do you ask your crew for feedback?”
He shrugged. “I don’t. I already know what needs to be done.”
That moment stuck with me. Doug had plenty of confidence. What he lacked was humility—the kind that invites others in, that says, “I don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay.”
Once he started listening more and leading less from the podium, things shifted. His crew felt seen. Trust grew. And the results spoke for themselves.
As leaders, we need both confidence and humility. One without the other is incomplete.
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