Humility in Teams: Collective Humility and Its Impact on Team Growth Climate and Performance

Abstract

To further understand the relevance and benefits of humility in organizations, in this study we introduce and explore the concept of collective humility, a team-level interpersonal process that we propose leads to a collective focus on team growth (or team growth climate). To establish construct validity, we conceptually and empirically differentiate collective humility from other team-level constructs. Using a simulation study from the lab (192 participants in 53 teams), we establish the predictive validity of collective humility, showing it leads to a team growth climate and higher team performance. Using a field sample from a healthcare context (326 participants in 75 teams), we test and find support for a theoretical model wherein vertical leader humility fosters collective humility, which in turn fosters a team climate of growth, leading to higher team performance. We conclude with discussion of theoretical implications, limitations, and potential areas for future research.