5 Ways Humble Leaders Put Others in the Spotlight

When you’re the leader, it’s only natural that all eyes are on you. You’re out in front, setting the direction, and making sure results are achieved. Do you absorb the spotlight or deflect it? Do you step into the spotlight or do you step back so it shines on others?

As the daughter of Nordic Ware founder David Dalquist, Susan Brust is also carrying forward the family legacy of a business she now helps lead. She’s appeared on The Martha Stewart Show. And she represented the company when her father’s most recognizable creation, the Bundt pan, was included in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection. Yet this humble leader finds more value in putting others in the spotlight.

With her role as Nordic Ware’s senior vice president and director of new product development, Susan knows the product and the industry, and she understands market trends. What makes her stand out as a leader, though, is her uncanny ability to allow others to shine as leaders themselves. Her leadership style is an example for any leader who gets recognition and visibility.

I recently had a chance to talk with Susan, as well as Susan Moore, who served on the board of the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation while Susan Brust was its president, and here’s what I learned from the example of her humble leadership approach.

1. Give everyone the opportunity to lead.

   Susan tells me that she leads by surrounding herself with good people and then finding ways to let them come to the forefront. As she explains it, rather than leading by “pulling people along,” she leads by “pushing people ahead.” Susan Moore calls it delegating to let others grow. When everyone is given the responsibility to step up, she notes, action moves forward.

2. Acknowledge what the whole person brings to the table.

   In addition to recognizing employees for the responsibilities they’re taking on, Susan also makes a point to acknowledge them for who they are as human beings. She makes sure they know that they’re seen and appreciated. Sometimes, this means she has to go against her introverted nature and engage in the everyday workplace chit chat that can reveal more about people and what’s happening in their lives. She does this because it helps her build deeper connections, particularly with those who don’t report to her directly.

3. Accept acknowledgement from others.

   Have you ever received a compliment or recognition for your work and said something like, “Oh, it’s no big deal,” or otherwise downplayed your contribution? It can be almost a reflexive response, and maybe it feels like that’s part of what it means to be humble. But when you do that, you’re downplaying the effort and acknowledgement this person made a point to give you. Susan Moore tells me that Susan always graciously accepts credit when credit’s due, without deflecting.

4. Don’t assume people know they’re doing a great job.

   For introverts especially, we might think about the great work people are doing while not necessarily verbalizing it to them. Susan realizes she has to be intentional about this because people don’t always know it if we don’t tell them. She adds that it’s important to remember that, even if you don’t feel like you’re an intimidating person, people might be intimidated by you simply by virtue of your leadership position. It’s up to you to make them feel comfortable, heard, and recognized.

5. When they shine, you shine.

   Susan understands that giving others the chance to shine doesn’t take anything away from her. It’s not a zero sum game. “I’m pleased to be part of something larger than myself,” she tells me, adding that when they get recognition, she knows that she played a role in making that happen.

Leading can be a lonely business, but humble leaders find strength in recognizing that it’s not all about them. When you encourage others to step up, take on new challenges, and contribute their talents to balance your own, it takes some of the pressure off — and it builds the confidence and respect of your team.

Where might you “push people ahead” by sharing the spotlight?

Watch the five-minute highlights from my fascinating interview with Susan Brust here.

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