UN Peacekeeper's Lessons on Radical Humility and Leadership
Urs Koenig isn’t your average leadership coach. He’s been a UN peacekeeper, NATO commander, ultra-endurance athlete, professor, and now, author of Radical Humility: Be a Badass Leader and a Good Human. Urs broke down what it truly means to lead with radical humility—and why the best leaders combine toughness with compassion.
Key Takeaways
Radical humility is not soft. It’s a combination of deep self-awareness, strong relationships, and psychological safety—all backed by a growth mindset.
Be tough on results, tender on people. High standards and human connection are not opposites. They work best together.
You don’t need to be the expert. In fact, not knowing everything can be a strength—if your team trusts you.
Notable Quotes
“Radical humility is seeing yourself clearly—and knowing you don’t have all the answers.”
“If you’re annoying everybody just a little bit, you’re probably doing a good job as a leader.”
“Eyes on, hands off. Ask, ‘How can I help?’ instead of telling people what to do.”
Real-World Applications
Performance Feedback: Instead of saying “you didn’t do that well,” try “what can we improve next time?” That’s feedforward—future-focused and less threatening.
Example: A manager asks, “How can I be a better listener in meetings?” and gets specific tips like “put your phone away.”Leading Without Being the Expert: If you're in a new role, admit what you don’t know. Focus on connecting with your team and asking good questions.
Example: Urs led a UN team with outdated military knowledge—by listening and building personal trust.Psychological Safety: Create space where team members can speak up without fear.
Example: Start meetings with a simple check-in: “What’s one thing giving you energy, and one challenge you're facing?”
Radical humility isn’t about being passive. It’s about leading with strength, clarity, and care. The best leaders don’t dominate—they empower. Whether you’re running a team, a company, or walking into a tough room, Urs Koenig’s approach proves one thing: being a good human makes you a better leader.
Time Stamps:
00:43 Meet Urs Koenig: A Multifaceted Leader
02:26 The Three Pillars of Radical Humility
07:02 Leading Relationally: Building Trust and Influence
11:37 The Importance of Relationships in Crisis
14:03 Governor Patrick's Leadership During Crisis
16:19 Empowered Execution: Lessons from Ukraine
17:37 Carla Overbeck: Humble Leadership in Sports
20:14 Personal Connection: Emily's Family Ties
23:43 The Concept of Feed Forward
27:07 Creating a Culture of Vulnerability
30:37 Experiential Learning and Team Building
35:30 Building a Fearless Culture
Links Mentioned:
Urs Koenig's Website: https://www.urskoenig.com/
Urs Koenig's Book: Radical Humility: https://a.co/d/0XsOCHM
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.