The current study employs a qualitative, multiple case study design to explore the role of humility in servant leadership by utilizing a widely-accepted definition of humility. The current study attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practice and to provide a better understanding of humility’s role in servant leadership by following three executives in three different industries. Because humility can mean different things to different people, it is essential to identify a widely-accepted definition in an effort to better operationalize this valuable leadership construct. The research questions addressed were as follows: what role does humility play in servant leadership, does humility appear similarly or differently across organizations, and does humility act as an antecedent to servant leadership. The research supported that humility acts as both an essential leadership behavior as well as an antecedent to servant leadership. Other supporting behaviors were displaying a positive and authentic attitude, putting others first, and developing others. As a result of those behaviors, the outcomes of emulation and serving others emerged.

Keywords: humble, humility, leadership, modesty, servant leadership