9. When is it appropriate to move from Little Me – humble and self-effacing as personified by Eunides – to Big Me – brash and self-aggrandazing as personified by Joe Namath? Katherine Graham, editor of the Washington Post, changed herself from a reticent personality to a strong, assertive one that took on presidential administrations – and won. Yet she didn’t lose her poise or become a braggart. What does it take for a person to move onto the world stage and assert themselves and their ideas and not lose their humility or dignity?
Dragon says it takes a belief in something greater than yourself to keep you humble. To maintain a proper perspective.
I say that it takes maturity, self-reflection, and family and friends who keep you grounded.
But first and foremost I work toward humility (without always being able to live up to it). For several years now it’s the virtue I can point to and say, “Yup, I’m actively working on that.” I reflect on my behavior and try routinely to check myself on humility in particular. It’s something I truly value in others and chose to cultivate in myself. It’s not easy, and it’s hard not to be proud when I succeed (!), but I’m consistently incorporating this virtue into how I try to interact with the world.
That doesn’t mean you can’t also be: strong, assertive, a leader, a contributor. But it does mean you need to be careful. About how much credit you take. About your accomplishments-because rarely do we accomplish anything in a vaccuum. And that’s the balance I strive for.
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