Merriam-Webster dictionary defines humility as “freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.”
Humility can be expressed in many ways. It tends to enhance interpersonal relationships, rather than destroy them, which pride and vanity can do.
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility…It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Saint Augustine
Everyone has some degree of acting ability, some much more than others, and that can be a very dangerous thing.
One of the most common mistakes in assessing human character is mistaking personas for genuine personality.
The real personality, the unique collection of varying degrees of subconscious fears and defenses, along with inherent positive characteristics, emerges under pressure. You may not perceive it until long after you’ve known the person.
It can be shocking when your division head, while under enormous pressure to make a deadline, suddenly exhibits an obnoxious lack of humility (e.g., arrogance) and becomes a divisive force, driving out good employees from the company. The humble façade shatters and you’re left with a very expensive problem that you could have identified before it was too late.
In order to find out if he or she has a problem with authentic humility before it’s too late, you could spend thousands of dollars (even tens of thousands) on traditional security investigations. The more money you spend, the more time investigators scrutinize the subject’s life.
Or, you could take an unconventional route: I’ve found handwriting analysis, part of my systems of analysis, an extraordinarily effective tool to measure lack of humility (and dozens of other red-flag personality traits).
Human nature never ceases to supply nasty surprises, but you can limit your risk through my non-traditional security investigations.
Copyright © 2021 Scott Petullo