People will react differently when things work out well. Some will see it as their success, some will assume that it was deserved, and others will look at the things that weren’t perfect.

It might be especially important for leaders to reflect on what relationship they have with success.

What was the success? Are they proud of it? Can they share it? Do they own it? Did they expect it? What would have happened if things had not worked out well?

There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. It will depend on the situation and the people involved.

But independently from all the answers, there is a good reason to be humble.

Whatever the success was, much of it depended on embracing risk and the presence of luck. It will have influenced the circumstances, the way others contributed, and the actions of the leader himself.

Being humble doesn’t mean rejecting success or giving it all to others. It is finding a relationship with success that doesn’t give it all to oneself. Neither the success nor the responsibility.