The Sin That Destroys Leaders
There is one sin that is more destructive than all others: pride.
In Mere Christianity, Lewis calls it “The Great Sin.” Not because it is obvious, but because it is hidden. It lives quietly inside us while we justify it.
Pride gets no pleasure from having something. It only cares about having more than the next person.
More success.
More recognition.
More control.
It is not satisfied by achievement. It is fueled by comparison. And that makes it incredibly dangerous for leaders.
Why Pride Destroys Leadership
Pride changes how you see everything. It causes you to look down on others. And Lewis reminds us, you cannot see anything above you while you are looking down. Pride blinds you.
You stop listening.
You stop learning.
You stop growing.
Lewis goes even further, calling pride “a spiritual cancer” because it eats away at the very things leadership requires – love, contentment, common sense. Without these, leadership may still exist in title, but it disappears in impact.
The Subtle Trap
Here is what makes pride so difficult: it hides.
Lewis says, “If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” In other words, pride is most dangerous when you believe you have conquered it.
Leaders are especially vulnerable.
You start winning.
People start listening.
You gain influence.
And slowly, without realizing it, you begin to believe it is all about you.
The Path Forward
If pride is the problem, humility offers the solution. But humility is often misunderstood.
It is not thinking less of yourself but rather thinking of yourself less.
Great leaders understand this. They know they do not have all the answers; that they can be outperformed at any moment; that their success is built through others.
So, they shift the focus.
From themselves to their team.
From recognition to impact.
From being right to helping others win.
Clarity Requires Humility
We talk often about clarity.
Clarity creates peace.
Clarity creates direction.
Clarity solves chaos.
But the harsh truth is that you will never have clarity if pride is present. Pride distorts reality.
It filters information.
It rejects feedback.
It protects ego over truth.
Humility does the opposite.
It invites corrections.
It welcomes perspective.
It keeps you grounded in reality.
A Simple Challenge
This week, ask yourself one honest question:
Where is pride quietly influencing my decisions?
Then take one step to shift the focus off yourself and onto someone else’s success. Because the leaders who build the strongest teams are not the ones trying to be above others. They are the ones lifting others up. And in doing so, they rise without needing to prove it.
Stay steady.
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God Bless!
~ Schuyler Williamson