The real courage here isn't about humility—it's about recognizing that a leader's legacy is measured by what others accomplish, not by personal brilliance. Most people in positions of authority actually fear smarter subordinates, worrying about being outshone or challenged, which is precisely why mediocrity perpetuates itself in so many organizations. Consider Steve Jobs, who famously surrounded himself with engineers and designers who rivaled or exceeded his own technical abilities; this wasn't magnanimity but rather the shrewdest possible strategy for creating products that changed industries. The insight that separates great leadership from the merely competent is understanding that your own intelligence becomes almost irrelevant—what matters is the intelligence you can orchestrate around you.