Can showing humility in public helpsoften the impact of unpopular measures, such as the pension reform issue for Emmanuel Macron? Or make oneself more likable, as Elisabeth Borneseemed to hope? The term “humility” is frequently used by politicians, regardless of the context (remember Joe Biden’s speech after his election victory…).

But beyond its public display—which may be strategic or even insincere—what do we know about the role of humility in social life?

To be humble is to see oneself accurately

Humility is the ability to assess oneself accurately, without distortion—to put oneself on the ground, so to speak—as its Latin etymology suggests (the word *humilitas* is derived from *humus*, meaning “earth”).

It’s a challenge, because one of the most widespread human biases is probably this unfortunate tendency to believe we are better than average in general—and better than others in particular.

For example, ask employees or couples to list the tasks they perform for the group, and then estimate the percentage of the work they think they personally handle. The total almost always exceeds 100 percent, because everyone believes they handle a disproportionate share of the tasks. Imagine you’re asked if you think you’re a little more humble than the average person of your age and gender. Like most people, you’ll probably answer yes!

An important aspect of humility lies in the ability to keep one’s ego in its proper place and to focus one’s attention on others, who are also considered worthy of attention. This attitude of self-effacement is beneficial not only in interpersonal relationships but also in other areas, such as ideas, culture, and science.

Is humility attractive?

In human relationships, humility is highly valued. Surveys indicate that it is valued more highly in a partner than many other qualities or personality traits—such as sensitivity, kindness, intellectual openness, or conscientiousness—whether the relationship is short-term or long-term.

For example, a study on speed dating showed that a partner who shares information revealing that they are humble inspires trust: people are thus more willing to give them their phone number! This trust is not unfounded, as humble people are generally less dishonest in romantic relationships, as demonstrated by a large-scale study conducted in Germany involving 5,700 people.

An analysis of couple dynamics confirms that people are more satisfied and committed when they have a partner who is humble, and that they are also more likely to forgive that partner’s shortcomings.

Humility also reduces tension during difficult conversations. In a laboratory study in which couples were asked to discuss a contentious topic, it was found that among participants with a humble profile (as measured by a pre-study questionnaire), blood pressure—which typically rises in such situations—remained at a more comfortable level than among the others.

When a couple is about to have a child, humility is associated with lower levels of prenatal stress for the parents, and its effects continue even after the birth.

What behaviors are associated with humility?

Being humble fosters social relationships that are less marked by hostility. These findings are not surprising, given the numerous studies showing that narcissism, on the other hand, is a powerful predictor of coercive and sometimes violent behavior.

For example, a follow-up study of a cohort of 1,200 children found that those with low levels of humility were more likely to commit acts of aggression one year after the study began.

What makes humble people so endearing is also that they tend to be more altruistic, but also more willing to accept help from others. They also show greater interest in opinions and worldviews that do not align with their own.

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Other studies round out the picture. At work, humble people are less likely to use their colleagues as tools, and employees who have a humble leader not only develop a greater sense of personal empowerment but also generate a greater numberof innovative ideas.

However,a leader’s humility sometimes has its limits. When taken to extremes, it can give the impression of incompetence. Furthermore, beware of feigned humility—it could be perceived as insincere or, worse, manipulative.

This is probably one of the most obvious risks public figures face when they talk about humility: this virtue may vanish the moment it is displayed.