Pride can be subtle, but it is always dangerous. It can cause us to power up on others, make decisions just to stay in the spotlight, grow overconfident in our own knowledge and abilities, hold grudges, and work hard to hide our flaws. Left unchecked, pride leads to poor decisions, unnecessary risks, burned bridges, and often, a fall from grace. The antidote is simple, but not easy: voluntary humility. Lower yourself. Submit to others. Give credit freely and be willing to stay behind the scenes. Learn from those beneath you. Offer forgiveness even when it is undeserved. Expose your flaws to trusted friends and family who want the best for you. Shining a light on your issues is one of the greatest ways to strip them of their power, so identify one personal stumbling block, something pride tempts you to hide or defend, and take one small step to counter it before you are forced to your knees. Strength is often built out of the choice to go low.