With the advent of the artificial intelligence era, the limitations of leaders’ knowledge and skills have become increasingly apparent, emerging as a critical constraint on organizational progress. Consequently, organizations are placing greater emphasis on the importance of humble learning for leaders and fostering humble qualities in leadership. In previous research, humble leadership has garnered widespread scholarly attention, yet few studies have systematically compared it with other similar leadership styles, leading to lingering questions among researchers. To deepen the understanding of humble leadership, this paper reviews its developmental trajectory, conducts a detailed comparison with related leadership styles, and proposes future research directions. The aim is to provide insights and inspiration for further exploration and practical application of humble leadership.