Introspective of success in academia, science and management: the analysis of humility as the key foundation

Humility is a multifaceted concept that has gained significant attention in various disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, leadership, ethics, and intercultural studies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings and theoretical frameworks related to the study of humility. Drawing on research which scopes from empirical works to meta-analyses, this work explores the dimensions and applications of humility in different contexts, emphasising its impact on individual well-being, reputation management, academic performance, ethical decision-making, leadership, innovation behaviour, and intercultural interactions. By synthesising diverse perspectives on humility, this paper establishes a theoretical foundation for understanding its significance in human behaviour and social dynamics in the current times.


INTRODUCTION
The study of humility is essential in addressing a significant problem that pervades various aspects of human interaction and societal functioning. In contexts characterised by increasing entitlement, claim for privileges, and self-centeredness, the need to understand and promote humility has never been more pressing. This research aims to expand on the transformative potential of humility and its role in mitigating the negative consequences of ego-driven behaviours, fostering healthy relationships, and promoting ethical decision-making.
Humility is a complex and multidimensional moral attribute that holds significant implications for various aspects of human life. Research on humility has revealed a positive impact on individual well-being, interpersonal relationships, leadership effectiveness, and cultural dynamics (Smith, 2020;Exline, 2012;Owens, 2013;Suh, 2019). However, the need remains for further exploration and understanding of its role in the fostering of personal growth, social harmony, and organisational success (Davis, 2013;Hill, 2021;Leung, 2019). This research aims to contribute to this gap in the existing academia by adding a body of synthesised knowledge and elaborating the findings and implications of humility in these domains.
The need of humility stands as a powerful antidote to the pervasive issues of arrogance, selfaggrandisement, and the erosion of empathy that are prevalent in contemporary corporate society (Exline, 2012;Tangney, 2016). The lack of humility not only hampers personal growth and psychological well-being but also poses significant challenges to collective societal harmony, collaboration, and ethical conduct (Davis, 2013;Owens, 2013). The consequences of ego-driven behaviours can be observed in various domains, such as education, leadership, intercultural interactions, healthcare, and reputation management, where the absence of humility leads to detrimental outcomes.
For instance, in educational settings, the prevalence of a culture that prioritises self-promotion based on exacerbated special treatments often undermines true learning and collaboration (Davis, 2013;Exline, 2012). The lack of humility hinders students' ability to acknowledge their limitations, embrace feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers and mentors P á g i n a 6233 (Hill, 2021;Krause, 2015). As a result, learning environments become less inclusive, stifling the potential for growth and genuine intellectual development.
In another domain, leadership is being deeply impacted by the absence of humility (Owens, 2013;Tangney, 2016). The glorification of power, dominance, and self-interest in leadership can lead to toxic organisational cultures, strained relationships, and unethical practices (Hess & Ludwick

METHODOLOGY
This study adopts a qualitative research paradigm. According to Creswell (2007, p.37): [q]ualitative research begins with assumptions, a worldview, the possible use of a theoretical lens, and the study of research problems inquiring into the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem.
To study this problem, qualitative researchers use an emerging qualitative approach to inquiry… As such, the data collection is based on bibliographic sources and a theoretical analysis of relevant scholarly articles, books, and theoretical and empirical research papers. In line with these approaches, data analysis of collected sources is inductive and researchers establish patterns or themes. Scholarly sources have therefore been selected because they demonstrate that humility has constituted a strong basis for the foundation of a progressive and successful process system. These systems cover a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, leadership, ethics, education, and intercultural studies. The methodology applied aims to identify key theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and practical implications associated with humility. P á g i n a 6235 The collected information is synthesized to establish a comprehensive understanding of humility's dimensions and its potential impact on various aspects of human behaviour as follows:

Humility and Well-being
Empirical studies have shown that humility is positively correlated with improved well-being, as it fosters positive relationships, reduces conflict, enhances self-acceptance, and promotes psychological health. Furthermore, humility has been linked to increased openness to feedback, willingness to learn from others, and accuracy in assessing persuasive messages.

Humility and Reputation Management
Displaying intellectual humility can serve as a valuable tool for reputation management. It signals competence, reliability as a source of information, and prevents overclaiming superiority.
Conversely, a lack of intellectual humility can be used to signal dominance.

Humility and Academic Performance
Cultivating humility can lead to better academic outcomes by fostering increased openness to feedback and a willingness to learn from others. This trait promotes a growth mindset and facilitates the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Humility and Ethical Decision-making
Epistemic humility plays a crucial role in making accurate and informed decisions in interdisciplinary fields such as medicine and public health. Acknowledging the limits of knowledge and understanding is essential for ethical behaviour and responsible decision-making.

Humility and Leadership
Paternalistic leadership, combined with leader humility, positively influences employee innovation behaviour and new venture performance. Leader humility moderates the relationship between paternalistic leadership and employee innovation, fostering a conducive environment for creativity and organisational growth.