Toxic vs HumbleTough

To be honest, humbletough wasn't born as a positive thing. It came from pain and the deep need for a northstar value I saw absent in myself and leaders around me.

I've seen too many toxic leaders in my career. You probably have, too.

The ones who grabbed credit for their team's work, who led through fear instead of trust, who crumbled when things got tough and then blamed everyone else.

💡 After watching another leader throw their team under the bus many years ago, I found myself thinking, "We desperately need leaders who are both humble and tough."

That's when it hit me - "humbletough." 🎯

It became more than just a word. It became my north star for leadership, blog name, signature, and a daily reminder of who I'm trying to become. Not because I've mastered it (far from it!) but because it represents something our world needs more of.

🌟 Here's what being humbletough means in practice:

• You handle hard things without making them harder through ego or drama
• You give credit freely and take responsibility completely
• You stay steady when things get rocky but remain open to learning and growth
• You lead with both strength and kindness - because the best leaders do both
• You work hard behind the scenes without needing constant recognition

I'm not perfect at this—none of us are—but I've seen what happens when leaders lack humility or toughness, and it's not pretty.

👉 We need more leaders who can be strong without being arrogant and humble without being weak.

Here's the thing: great humbletough leaders start as humbletough individuals. While you can develop these qualities at any point, the earlier you start, the deeper they become part of who you are. It's about building these muscles before you need them in leadership.

That's why I write about leadership as "humbletough." It's not about having all the answers. It's about pursuing a better way of leading—one that combines backbone with heart. 💪❤️

🤔 Is anyone else on this same journey? What leadership qualities do you think we need more of today?

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As always,
Stay humble. Hang tough.
Paul Tucker