Balancing between humility and confidence in learning and leadership

What does it really mean to be humble? And if you think you’re humble, how do you know whether you’re genuinely humble—both confidently and honestly?

Dr. Kyaw Moe Tun, President of Parami University, shared his thoughts during a dialogue with students at a recent Town Hall meeting for this semester: "True intellectual humility is about recognizing the limits of your knowledge while staying curious and confident in your ability to learn."

He explained that humility and confidence can go hand in hand. Confidence grows from knowledge and experience, while humility comes from admitting what you don’t know. Being honest about that actually strengthens your confidence.

One student put it simply: “Lack of confidence means not knowing who you are or what you value. Humility is knowing yourself and your values—while also respecting the values of others.”

Dr. Kyaw also shared a personal story. As a young student, he once felt proud after studying classic literature, thinking he knew more than his peers. But in a senior seminar on infinity, he had an eye-opening realization: the more he learned, the less he truly understood. That moment changed how he thought about humility.

"It’s okay not to know everything," he said. "Acknowledging that is part of intellectual growth."

Dr. Kyaw earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Yale University and teaches science courses at Parami. As a scientist, he often uses probability to evaluate life situations and emphasizes, “Beliefs should align with evidence.” He reminded all students: “Intellectual humility is about knowing what you know, acknowledging what you don’t, and being ready to learn.”

Humility is also one of the eight core values of Parami University. But it’s more than a personal trait—it’s key to leadership. Humble leaders build trust, listen carefully, and create space for others to share ideas. They don’t pretend to know everything; instead, they invite collaboration and learning.

Practicing humility helps students lead authentically. Humble leaders are confident enough to make decisions but honest enough to admit mistakes and learn from others. This balance inspires respect, encourages teamwork, and strengthens communities—both on campus and beyond. Humility allows leaders to grow alongside those they lead, making them effective decision-makers and role models who lift everyone around them.

So, how can we practice humility?

• Accept what you don’t know. The human brain can’t fully grasp infinity or the vastness of the universe, and that’s okay.

• Stay curious. Humility means being ready to learn, again and again.

• Respect others. Listening to different perspectives helps us grow.

• Balance humility with honesty. Be proud of what you know, and brave enough to admit what you don’t.

During the discussion, a thought-provoking question arose: How do you know if you really know what you don’t know?

For students at Parami, this means self-assessment, making decisions with an open mind, seeking advice, and engaging in respectful dialogue—even when we disagree. The larger the community, the more important humility becomes.