I’m biased on this, but I think my dad is a great example.
He’s remarkably humble and unassuming despite achieving so much.
He used to win triathalons and he would throw the trophies away because he didn’t want to show them off. He’d often do huge favors for people and strangers and never tell anyone about it and I’d find out years after the fact.
For example, I was coaching kid’s swimming and one of the kid’s dads came over to talk to me. He sat down in a chair while the kids warmed up and we talked about random things.
Eventually, I got the spidey sense this dad was a SEAL and asked, “Are you a team guy by chance?”
He nodded and said, “Yes—a bit sheepishly.”
I said, “By chance do you know my dad, Joe Kernan?”
And the guy’s jaw about dropped off of his face. Then he went on to rave about how dad had written a letter to help him get into SEAL training, which had been his life dream and that he’d been running out of options. Dad barely knew the guy but took the time to help him when there was little benefit.
I have so many stories like this.
My folks when they were younger. Back when dad still went on missions (I assume—he still hasn’t told me anything).
When he was a vice admiral, he never bragged or mentioned that to anyone that it was his rank (he doesn’t love that I tell these stories). When he was active duty, he made it a point to spend time talking to junior military enlisted and officers, just getting to know them and hearing their concerns.
He didn’t want to be just another flag officer who hangs out in the O-club with his admiral buddies.
If there’s anything I learned from him on interpersonal relationships, it’s that you should treat the janitor and the CEO with the same level of respect. You shouldn’t be shapeshifting all the time.