The Art of Humility: Why Being Humble Makes You Happier (feat. Daryl R. Van Tongeren)
Narcissism is on the rise: it manifests in people we know, celebrities, influencers, politicians—and even, from time to time, in ourselves.
The drive to self-promote has seduced many people to become someone they’re not.But there is a powerful tool that can help us defeat it: humility.
Following the latest science, Daryl Van Tongeren shines a light on this ancient virtue in his book titled “Humble.” He’s here to unpack his findings on this very important topic.
Daryl R. Van Tongeren, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Hope College. As a social psychologist, he has published over 160 scholarly articles, coauthored The Courage to Suffer, and currently serves as associate editor for The Journal of Positive Psychology. His research has been covered by The New York Times, Washington Post, and NPR affiliate radio stations.
In this interview, we do a deep dive into humility: how ego has become pervasive in our culture and what we can do to keep it in check as we advance in our lives and teach it to younger generations. Daryl speaks about the types of humility and how it can build confidence, help us achieve success, and make our world a better and kinder place.
Interview timestamps:
02:50 ︳Daryl shares what inspired him to write a book about humility
04:25 ︳The rise of narcissism and grandiosity in our culture and how it impacts us
05:55 ︳What is humility, and why is it an important trait to have
07:33 ︳The four different types of humility
10:45 ︳Why the cultural narratives on how to live a meaningful life and build self-esteem are couched within the broader context of narcissism
12:54 ︳Is it possible to remain humble and maintain perspective in a world dominated by self-promotion and power?
14:55 ︳The addictive quality of narcissistic affirmation and how to break out of it
17:00 ︳How can we set an example of humility and teach younger generations the importance of humility
26:18 ︳Victim mentality as a form of narcissism
27:21 ︳Daryl explains why we need humility to bring about social change and innovation and find common ground (and how we can be part of that change)
Learn more about Daryl R. Van Tongeren and his book “Humble: The Quiet Power of an Ancient Virtue” vat his website.
