Pride certainly inserts itself precisely into the category of competition, because “pride is competitive… by its very nature” (C.S. Lewis).[1] However, there are many companies who have a for-profit focus with the goal of benefiting others. In his book The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek provides many examples of high-growth, high-performance companies who are driven by causes beyond short-term domination of competition.

There are many motivations that can propel you toward your goals – including pride. However, pride always takes a toll (which is why humility month is so important). Imagine you have your own airplane going to a tropical paradise. Before you leave, the captain asks you to choose between two types of fuel. “The first,” he says, “Will definitely move us forward quickly. However, it has a caustic effect that causes it to interfere with the navigation instruments. It will often cause the compass to direct you into unintended storms and even point you in directions other than your intended destination. The second fuel will also move you forward, but it’s much more stable. You are much less likely to encounter storms, and it actually makes the compass work better so you stay on course and land at your destination.”

Which fuel would you pick? Using pride as a motivator to accomplish your life’s goals is like using the first fuel. It’s caustic, ruins relationships, and interferes with your ability to value what is most important in life. When you are proud, you want to elevate yourself above others. You may even do charity work for others, but what you really want is praise and recognition for your efforts. And if you do not get the praise and recognition you think you deserve, you become resentful of those you claim to help.

However, when humility, compassion or love (these are related attributes) are motivators, they drive you to keep going not just for yourself, but to help and lift others’ lives. You do your best and the results elevate everyone – including yourself.

When done right, humility, compassion and love are tremendous motivators.

[1] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 67. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/MereChristianityCSL/page/n72/mode/1up

This is a common belief among those who have been victims of manipulation. The reasoning goes something like, “In order to protect myself from devious people, I need to become hardened myself.”

Using pride to defend against abuse may provide greater understanding, but the knowledge comes largely as a result of your becoming more like the person(s) who hurt you. You may have heard the phrase “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” It means you should understand malice (which comes from pride) without adopting it as part of you.

The choice between pride and humility is not between two equal options. Pride “has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began” (C. S. Lewis).[1] The more it grows within you, the more it will lay waste to virtually every aspect of your life.

The only alternative (and lasting remedy) to pride is humility. In a world filled with uncaring, corrupt and even cruel people, it takes determination and courage to hold up a light – to be a light. Humility is one way you can hold up a light for others. But as you do it, you will find your own path lit brighter and clearer.

[1] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 68. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/MereChristianityCSL/page/n73/mode/1up

There are multiple definitions of pride, so all pride is not the same. Sometimes, for instance, pride can simply mean you have high regard or affection for someone, such as, “I am so proud of Suzy for being kind when others were not.” In this case, “pride” is talking about positive feelings for someone else, which is good.

The truly sinister form of pride is the one that makes us believe we are better or more important than someone else. This is the opposite of humility, and almost everyone has it. It is this type of pride that leads to so much heartache in individuals, families, communities and nations.