Blogs and literature are full of responses to the question ‘what skill-set is required to turn you into a born-leader’.

Many will recall Churchill, Steve Jobs, Pope John Paul II from Poland, and maybe even Bill Clinton. However, in an age of globalisation, where information is everywhere along with cynicism, there is an increasing popular feeling that fewer and fewer politicians meet standards of the voters. The people we tend to admire come from the world of sport or the arts or commerce.

In recent months, I have quoted items from Dr Robert Brooks and from Daniel Pink. Both discuss the issues of credibility and the challenges we face when encouraging others to believe in our methods. And both of them quickly move on past the subject of empathy. Instead, each with his own approach, talks about the need to understand sincerely what a person is thinking and why. I pose that few politicians do not have time for such a manner.

This week, I read an article by Charles Harary, a clinical professor of management, who developed the theme one stage further. He was commenting about the Book of Ruth. By way of background, I should mention that leadership is a strong undercurrent in this biblical story – the role of Naomi, the character of Ruth, and how this lineage runs through to the future King David.

Harary argues that what made these female heroines different and what also separated Moses from the rest of his family was the characteristic of “humility”.  And in one powerful paragraph, he observes that:

• Humility comes from the Latin word which means ‘grounded’ or ‘close to the earth’.
• Humility is not the same as meek, but it is an dynamic quality.
• “Humility is appreciating our talents and focusing them on the needs of others”.

Harary concludes:

To be great leaders, we have to examine the motivation behind our actions…..To be real leaders, we have to think about the needs of others…..(And thus) Humility is a true form of strength to be used at every moment of life.

Now, when you tell me where you can find humility, I will point out that there might be a real leader of people lurking in the area. And I suggest that you do not start looking in your legislative assemblies.