Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.

Our Mission
At Leading with Humility™, our mission is to partner with leaders and organizations to cultivate humble, high-performing cultures that drive sustainable growth and meaningful impact. We do this by delivering strategic consulting, leadership training, executive coaching, and innovative tools that strengthen organizational health, enhance collaboration, and build systems where people and performance align.

Our Vision
To create a more humble, connected world where individuals and organizations thrive—where people feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered, and leadership is rooted in trust, collaboration, and purpose.

Our Core Values
Humility:
We lead by listening, staying teachable, and putting people above ego.
Honor: We value and respect every individual, recognizing their unique worth.
Excellence: We deliver with purpose, precision, and a commitment to exceptional results.
Heart: We care deeply and give our best—because people matter most.
Catalyst: We spark growth and unlock hidden potential—shaping spaces where meaningful transformation happens.

Meet Our Founder

Dr. James Knight is a nationally respected educator, executive coach, consultant, author, and cultural and inclusion strategist whose work is redefining how leaders cultivate inclusive, high-performing cultures. Based just outside Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Knight partners with some of the nation’s most influential organizations to foster environments where humility, empathy, and fearless dialogue are central to leadership and innovation.

Dr. Knight has advised and facilitated transformational work with Progressive Insurance, the National Football League (NFL), Eli Lilly and Company, the Federal Reserve Bank, The Ohio State University, Xavier University, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, United Way, the Cleveland Clinic, among many others. Across sectors—corporate, nonprofit, academic, and government—his expertise in heart- centered leadership, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution has made him a sought-after voice for leaders navigating the complexity of today’s workplaces.

At the heart of Dr. Knight’s work is a powerful guiding belief: leadership begins with humility. As the founder of a consulting practice dedicated to building dynamic, inclusive communities, he helps leaders craft frameworks rooted in cultural humility, emotional intelligence, and human-centered design. His training and advisory work equips organizations with practical tools to foster psychological safety, collaborative innovation, and sustainable culture change.

Dr. Knight is the author of three books, including his most recent release, Heart: A Journey Toward Cultural Humility—a timely and practical guide for leaders, students, and changemakers seeking to deepen their emotional and cultural intelligence. The book serves as both a personal roadmap and professional manual for building inclusive communities from the inside out.

Dr. Knight holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College, a Master’s in Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ashland University, and a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion from the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs.

To learn more about Dr. James Knight and to stay up to date with his work, you can find him on social media @leadwithhumility or subscribe to our YouTube channel @LeadingwithHumility.

Meet the Team

  • The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank had the honor and privilege of hosting Dr. Knight on three occasions. His sessions on cultural humility were truly eye-opening. His powerful storytelling, real-world examples, and practical strategies made complex topics both accessible and actionable. We left feeling inspired and better equipped to foster inclusive and respectful interactions in both our professional and personal lives.

    Carol Crabtree, VP of HR at Akron-Canton Foodbank


  • I have been in the human resources and talent management space for almost thirty years, and I find Dr. James Knight to be one of a kind. His ability to relate to employees at all levels and within all demographics is a differentiator. When I have engaged him, he has been quick to assess the needs of the organization and adapt his style and process to those needs. I am confident that whether it is leadership development, team building or executive coaching, he will be an asset to any organization. I highly recommend him.

    Margie Wright-McGowan, Chief HR Officer at Federal Reserve Bank


  • Dr. Knight was engaged to facilitate a session on “Humility in Leadership” at our leadership meeting which involved about 90 of our leaders. I can say without a doubt, this was the best session at this meeting. Dr. Knight’s subject matter knowledge, integration of humor and meaningful exercises made this a very meaningful and impactful event with immediately usable take-aways and learnings.

    Robert Bowers, Chief Claims and Customer Service Officer at Westfield Insurance


  • I was fortunate to engage in a Humble Leadership learning session with Dr James Knight. The learning centered on the appreciation that being humble, is at the center, or core of healthy and impactful leadership relationships. I was enamored to hear him speak so eloquently in how we show up for others – which he modeled so beautifully in his presentation! I was inspired to learn more about the Humble Leadership wheel, inclusive of language and behaviors in support of: love, lift, luminate, listen, and learn.

    Eileen M. Clark, Sr. Clinical Director at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital


Highlights of Dr. James L. Knight