Do you practice humility in your communication?

Are you one of tose people that has to be right, every time?

In meetings, you dominate the discussion. In conversations, only your voice is heard.

And if you’re not, I bet you know one of those! There’ll be one in your office. Or in your family. Or your friendship group. You wait and wait for a gap to say something, to contribute, but it never comes.

That was me too. Early in my career, when I felt I had so much to prove.

Until one day, when a senior colleague pulled me aside after a team meeting. He said, “Remi, you were right in what you said… but, no-one wanted to hear it, because you didn’t leave room for anyone else.”

That really stung! But it allowed me to take a long hard look at myself.

I realised I had been so focused on being right and proving myself, that I’d forgotten the real goal of the meeting: to connect as a team, to collaborate, to work together to find a way forward.

I had forgotten how to communicate with humility. And so have many of us.

Whether in leadership positions, when we fail to give our team members the chance to contribute. Or with friends and family, when we feel we know best.

When we communicate with humility, we create the space for others to step in, to contribute and be part of the conversation. We create the psychological safety that makes trust and connection possible.

Next time you feel the need to show you know it all in a conversation, pause. And ask yourself: "Am I leaving room for others?"

That’s humility, and that’s how you connect and build trust in communication.

How about you? How are you practising humility in your communication?