Humble Assertiveness: How Successful Founders Lead Without Dominating
Great leaders balance confidence with humility.
At Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, we’ve identified Humble Assertiveness as one of the most essential traits for successful founders and leaders. It’s the ability to assert a clear vision while empowering others to contribute and grow.
In this post, we’ll explore how leaders like Evan Williams of Twitter and Jeff Evans, a world-renowned mountain climber, use this trait to drive success, and how you can develop it in your own leadership style.
What is Humble Assertiveness?
Humble Assertiveness is the ability to lead with confidence while empowering others to take ownership and share in the leadership. It’s about knowing when to assert yourself and when to listen. Successful leaders strike this balance—leading with humility and strength simultaneously.
Real-World Examples of Humble Assertiveness
Evan Williams and Twitter
Evan Williams built Twitter by empowering his team to innovate while staying true to his vision. His leadership style was quiet but assertive—he didn’t micromanage or dominate decisions, but he made sure the company moved in the right direction. Williams demonstrated that humble leaders can still assert their vision without controlling every aspect of the business.
Jeff Evans and the Everest Expedition
During one of his Mount Everest expeditions, Jeff Evans faced a critical decision: push forward to the summit or turn back for the safety of his team. Instead of making the call alone, Jeff gathered his team’s input, weighing their collective experience and safety concerns. They decided to move forward, and thanks to Jeff’s balance of confidence and humility, the team reached the summit. His ability to lead without dominating helped ensure the success of the mission.
How to Develop Humble Assertiveness in Your Leadership
Be confident, but not controlling: Trust your team to execute on your vision without micromanaging.
Listen actively: Make space for others’ ideas and be open to changing your approach based on feedback.
Empower your team: Give your team the autonomy to make decisions and learn from mistakes.
Assert your vision: Stay clear on your goals and values, but remain flexible in how you achieve them.
Want to learn more about the traits that make founders unstoppable?
Download our free white paper, Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders, to explore how Humble Assertiveness and other traits can help you build a thriving business.
