A Humble Habit for Divided Times, Reflect on Your Privilege
A simple practice for reducing defensiveness and fostering connection.
Updated September 13, 2025 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma
It’s impossible to ignore the tension in the air right now. Acts of political violence, heated debates, and deepening division leave many of us feeling bewildered, frustrated, and even helpless. In times like these, our instinct can be to double down on our perspective or point fingers outward. One of the drivers of polarization is the sense that acknowledging another group’s struggles somehow diminishes our own. Humility, if we are open to it, offers another path.
We can try a humble habit that is a simple yet powerful practice: reflect on a privilege you benefit from. This could be a social or professional position, an opportunity, a platform, or an identity factor that eases your way in the world. Consider what is unique about your life that gives you a leg up in society. When people practice reflecting on their privileges, whether social, economic, or situational, it can create more openness to discussions surrounding inequality.
Research shows that acknowledging our advantages does not weaken our position or lead to diminished efforts. It actually strengthens our capacity for empathy and connection. Several studies in a special issue of the Journal of Social Issues demonstrated that reflecting on privilege motivates constructive relationships and promotes fairness-oriented behaviors. Awareness of our privileges doesn’t shame us; it makes us reflect on how we can use them responsibly and prosocially.
The effect works in two different ways. First, acknowledging privilege disrupts the illusion that our success, power, or status was achieved solely through individual effort. By recognizing the social structures, resources, or identities that support us, we can better appreciate the challenges that others may face who do not have those same advantages. Second, this practice broadens our perspective-taking capacity, which improves empathy, reduces defensiveness, and creates psychological safety in relationships. This allows for more honest conversations. Humility shifts our focus from protecting our ego to fostering mutual respect and understanding.
This kind of reflection is not easy. It requires vulnerability to admit that our journey has partly been shaped by circumstances beyond our control. Yet this self-awareness is precisely what makes humility so transformative for relationships. Additionally, leaders who practice acknowledging their privileges will be better equipped to negotiate conflict with empathy and model fairness in decision-making .
Over the next week, contemplate one privilege you benefit from, big or small, and reflect on how it shapes your worldview. Consider sharing with a trusted friend and being honest about its role in your life. If you want to take it a step further, reflect upon ways in which you can share the benefits of your privilege with others. While reflecting on privilege won’t solve all of the world's divisions, I believe individual shifts in perspective can ripple outward into families, workplaces, and communities.
Case, K. A., Iuzzini, J., & Hopkins, M. (2012). Systems of privilege: Intersections, awareness, and applications. Journal of Social Issues , 68 (1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2011.01732.x
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Kelly G. Manix, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Management at Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business studying humility, ethics, and moral leadership.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.