By Nicholas Hart
CEO, IBSA USA
In a culture that often celebrates confidence, achievement, and individual success, the importance of humility can be easy to overlook. Yet it has been one of the most influential principles shaping my approach to leadership. I believe that, in life and in business, humility is a pathway to personal growth and sustainable success, reminding us to keep learning, stay grounded, encouraging us to keep learning, and put the success of others ahead of recognition for ourselves.
That belief has been shaped by many experiences throughout my life and career, but some of the most influential lessons came from my military service. As we recognize Veterans Day and reflect on those who have served our country, I found myself thinking about the people I had the privilege to serve alongside and the enduring impact they have had on my approach to leadership.
As a former member of the U.S. Army, I am filled with gratitude for the people I served with and for what those experiences have taught me in my journey as a business leader. More than anything, they reinforced the importance of serving a mission that is larger than yourself. They emphasized the importance of trust, the responsibility we have to support the people around us and the belief that every contribution matters.
EMPOWERING OTHERS ABOVE ALL
My career has taken me from West Point to the pharmaceutical industry, where I have been privileged to lead teams of exceptional people doing extraordinary work to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people.
One of the most important lessons I learned in the Army was that leadership is not about being the most visible person in the room. It is about empowering others to do their best work. That philosophy, often described as servant leadership, has shaped my approach from my earliest days in the military through every leadership role I’ve held since then. I’ve always believed that great leaders are those who empower the people around them.
How does that manifest on a daily basis? For me, it starts with being present, not just physically, but by staying connected, listening, understanding what's happening inside the organization and making time for conversations that don't fit neatly onto a calendar. In my experience, people want to know that they are being heard, and that their perspectives matter. That’s why I believe everyone is valuable to the overall success of the company, and contributions of any size, small or large, matter.
PEOPLE ACHIEVE TOGETHER
Much of my perspective on leadership and teamwork was shaped during my time at West Point. Certainly, there was classroom instruction, but many of the most valuable lessons came from daily interactions. You're surrounded by people from different backgrounds, with different personalities and different ways of approaching problems. Learning how to work effectively with others is not something that happens all at once. It develops over time through shared experiences, mutual trust and a better understanding of the people around you.
Throughout my career, I've seen leaders who were very effective at moving from one objective to the next, but less effective at building teams and bringing people together around a shared purpose. For me, those two things have always been closely connected. Looking back, that's probably one of the most important lessons the military reinforced: success is rarely an individual accomplishment. Whatever recognition one person receives is usually made possible by the efforts, support and contributions of many others.
PURPOSE THROUGH SERVICE
In the military, our mission was to serve our country. In the pharmaceutical industry, our mission is to improve patients’ lives. While the environments are very different, both require a commitment to people, accountability and a willingness to work together toward a common goal. In both cases, I have found that the opportunity to serve others provides a deep sense of purpose and remains one of my greatest sources of motivation.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When I look back on my career, I don't think first about titles or accomplishments. I think about the experiences and people who helped shape my path, the lessons they taught me, and the colleagues I've had the privilege to support along the way.
John Maxwell once said, “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” I couldn’t agree more. The most meaningful measure of leadership is not the recognition we receive ourselves, but the impact we have on helping others grow, contribute and succeed.
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