In a recent LinkedIn post, Lee McCabe tackles the pervasive and, in his view, often disingenuous use of the word “humbled” on the platform. McCabe argues that the term has become a default, performative expression of false modesty, masking genuine feelings of thrill, validation, or vindication that accompany success.
McCabe observes a consistent pattern where individuals use “humbled” to frame achievements, from promotions to awards and milestones. He contends that this linguistic habit obscures the reality of hard work, ambition, and the personal investment that leads to success.
“Nobody’s humbled by success. They’re thrilled. Validated. Maybe even vindicated.”
According to McCabe, true humility is not a reaction to achievement but rather a consequence of facing adversity and failure. He contrasts the common LinkedIn narrative with instances where genuine humility arises from significant setbacks.
The Nature of True Humility
McCabe differentiates between the performative humility seen on social media and the authentic emotion experienced during genuine challenges. He posits that real humility stems from confronting reality’s harsh lessons, such as a startup failing to scale, a deal collapsing, or a missed financial quarter.
He shares personal experiences where he felt genuinely humbled, none of which were publicly shared on LinkedIn. These moments involved significant professional failures or overlooked insights from unexpected sources.
“Real humility comes from getting punched in the face by reality, not from getting featured in a ‘Top 40’ list.”
McCabe recounts three specific instances from his career that elicited true humility:
- A portfolio company failing despite appearing strong on paper.
- A CEO whom he had underestimated building a highly successful venture.
- A junior analyst identifying a critical oversight that an entire investment committee missed.
These experiences, he suggests, are “private” and “educational,” offering uncomfortable but valuable lessons that differ starkly from the curated success stories often presented online.
Success vs. Performance on LinkedIn
Lee McCabe argues that the LinkedIn usage of “humbled” is essentially “success wearing a costume.” He observes that individuals who have achieved significant success often express it more directly and honestly when not constrained by the platform’s social conventions.
“What we call ‘humbled’ on LinkedIn is just success wearing a costume.”
He highlights alternative, more authentic expressions used by successful individuals, such as stating “I’m proud,” “This was hard-earned,” or simply offering gratitude. These acknowledgments, in McCabe’s view, reflect a more genuine appreciation of achievement.
McCabe concludes by emphasizing that true humility is reserved for life’s inevitable setbacks. He suggests that individuals engaged in meaningful work will encounter such humbling moments frequently, and it is these experiences, rather than the accolades, that foster genuine personal growth and a realistic perspective.
“They save ‘humbled’ for when life actually humbles them.”
His post encourages a more transparent and less performative approach to sharing success, advocating for honesty and authenticity in professional self-representation.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Lee McCabe on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 28, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →