You always have certain strengths and certain weaknesses, and

In the words of Erskine Bowles, “You always have certain strengths and certain weaknesses, and you want to compensate for your weaknesses... I have a real duty to earn the trust of the faculty. I don’t just deserve it. I have to earn it.” These words shine with the humility of a true leader. They remind us that greatness is not found in pretending to be flawless, but in recognizing one’s own limits, and in working diligently to rise above them. For a man or woman who acknowledges weakness is already stronger than one who hides behind false pride.

The heart of this saying lies in the notion of trust. Bowles, speaking as a leader in academia, understood that authority does not automatically grant respect. Titles and positions may place a man at the head of a table, but they cannot make others believe in him. Trust must be earned, day by day, through honesty, through competence, through humility, and through service to those one leads. It is not owed, nor is it permanent; it is a living bond, built slowly, but lost in an instant if neglected.

This truth has echoed through history. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who began his presidency scorned by many as inexperienced, even mocked as unworthy of the office. Yet by acknowledging his limits, surrounding himself with men of ability—even those who opposed him—and by showing patience, integrity, and resolve, he earned the trust not only of his cabinet but of a fractured nation. He did not demand trust by virtue of his position; he earned it through sacrifice, humility, and wisdom. Bowles’ words echo the same eternal principle.

Even in the ancient world, the wisest leaders knew this truth. Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, confessed in his Meditations his own flaws, fears, and weaknesses. Yet in doing so, he gained not only the trust of his soldiers and people, but their admiration. By acknowledging his humanity, he ruled not as a tyrant who demanded loyalty, but as a leader who earned it through character. The lesson is timeless: authority without trust is tyranny, but authority with trust becomes true leadership.

Bowles’ wisdom also warns us against the arrogance of entitlement. Too often, men and women in positions of power believe they are owed respect simply because of their status. Yet respect that is demanded is hollow, and trust that is assumed is fragile. True authority is sustained not by command, but by character. When one accepts the duty to earn trust rather than expecting it, one transforms leadership from domination into stewardship.

The deeper meaning of this quote lies also in the balance of strengths and weaknesses. To be human is to be incomplete, and thus leadership demands self-awareness. By naming one’s strengths and compensating for one’s weaknesses—through learning, through collaboration, through humility—one becomes whole. A leader who knows he is imperfect becomes trustworthy, for he is honest with himself and with those who follow him.

The lesson for us is clear: in our families, in our communities, in our work, we too must remember that respect is not owed to us simply because of our role. We must earn trust through patience, through consistency, through integrity. A parent earns the trust of their children not by demanding obedience, but by showing love and fairness. A teacher earns the trust of their students not by asserting authority, but by demonstrating care and wisdom. A leader, in any form, must first serve if he wishes to be trusted.

Thus, Erskine Bowles’ words resound across time: strengths and weaknesses belong to all, but trust belongs only to those who earn it. Let us then live with humility, ever compensating for our failings, ever mindful that trust is not a gift we deserve but a bond we must create. And when we earn it—honestly, patiently, faithfully—it becomes the foundation upon which true leadership, and true greatness, is built.