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Humble Power: Why Humility Is a Leadership Strength in Times of Change with Ethan Willis

What if one of the most powerful capabilities leaders need to navigate uncertainty, inspire others, and accelerate organizational change is also one of the most misunderstood—humility?

In this episode of the Change Management Review™ Podcast, Theresa Moulton speaks with Ethan Willis, leadership expert, author of Humble Power, and co-author of the bestselling The One Minute Entrepreneur, about why humility is not a weakness but a powerful capability that can strengthen leadership, adaptability, and organizational performance.

Drawing on more than 25 years of research, coaching, and leadership experience, Ethan explores how humility helps leaders move beyond ego, recognize perspectives outside their own, and create the conditions for greater collaboration and results. He introduces the five dimensions of humble power—purpose, people, perspective, pliability, and promises—and explains how they can help individuals and organizations respond more effectively to change.

The conversation examines the relationship between purpose and fear, particularly as AI adoption raises concerns about job security, professional identity, and personal value. Theresa and Ethan discuss how leaders can connect organizational transformation to individual purpose, helping people approach change with greater confidence rather than resistance.

They also explore the importance of intellectual humility, openness to feedback, and the ability to adapt established methods without abandoning core values. As organizations navigate increasingly rapid technological change, Ethan emphasizes the importance of combining technological capabilities with the human qualities that enable people to learn, collaborate, and grow.

In This Episode, You’ll Explore

• Why humility is a leadership strength that can amplify individual capabilities, influence, and organizational performance.
• The five dimensions of humble power and how they contribute to more effective leadership and collaboration.
• How connecting individual and organizational purpose can help reduce fear and resistance during periods of change.
• The role of intellectual humility, feedback, and adaptability in navigating AI adoption and technological transformation.
• Practical ways leaders can move beyond ego, empower others, and build stronger relationships through listening, perspective, and shared purpose.

Guest Bio

Ethan Willis is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and author of Humble Power. He is also the co-author, with Ken Blanchard, of the number-one New York Times bestseller The One Minute Entrepreneur. His books have been published in 20 languages.

Ethan serves as CEO of Growth Partners, an organization providing personal and professional development programs to a global community of more than 10 million people. Previously, he spent 15 years as CEO of Prosper Publishing, where his work included coaching more than 75,000 leaders across 80 countries.

Drawing on decades of leadership, coaching, and organizational development experience, Ethan explores how humility can strengthen adaptability, expand individual potential, and help leaders achieve meaningful results through purpose, perspective, and collaboration.