Can’t make even the slightest mistake. Must be perfect. This pressure is often faced by someone who becomes a leader. Once you make a mistake, be prepared to receive scathing criticism, even abuse. Don’t try to show weakness and vulnerability. Your authority will fade.
In reality, accepting imperfections shows authenticity when becoming a leader. With this authenticity, a leader is able to inspire and foster trust within the team. In history, there is no leader who never fails. Leaders are also human beings with all their flaws. A successful leader is a leader who is able to learn from failure.
Showing Imperfections as a Leader
Angela Ahrendts, former Senior Vice President, Retail, Apple Inc. has spoken about the importance of vulnerability in leadership. She believes that recognising imperfections and showing humanity can build stronger relationships with teams and customers.
Leadership theories are filled with characteristics that a leader must possess in order to be called an ideal leader. However, this is not realistic. Demanded to be perfect, leaders can be afraid to take risks, be inflexible towards their subordinates, and become indecisive. Instead of being perfect, there will be blemishes.
As a result of being required to be perfect, leaders may be reluctant to admit their mistakes. Instead, scapegoats are sought. This makes the working atmosphere unpleasant. When they see the leader as an ungrounded figure, followers are afraid to make mistakes. They feel they are not free to express themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to instil the paradigm that imperfection is not a weakness, but a strength when becoming a leader.
Don’t Cover Up Flaws
Authentic leaders do not try to cover up their shortcomings. Instead, they utilise them to build better relationships with their followers. They create an environment that values honesty, openness, and continuous learning.
Today, transparency is the norm that organisations must adhere to. Leaders should set an example in this regard. Leaders who honestly share their struggles, failures and setbacks are actually instilling a culture of transparency. Such stories will encourage employees to share the difficulties they face. Thus, mutual trust between leaders and followers will grow.
Imperfections will not hinder growth. On the contrary. Being a great leader means being able to utilise imperfections as opportunities to grow. They diligently seek feedback, learn from their mistakes, and encourage their team to do the same. Thanks to this, a culture of continuous learning and improvement develops. This has a positive impact on the organisation. The organisation becomes more adaptable to change.
Satya Nadella took this approach. When he was appointed CEO of Microsoft, he changed the company culture from a ‘know-it-all’ mindset to a ‘learn-it-all’ mindset. He openly admits his own mistakes and emphasises the importance of learning from failure, which has been instrumental in Microsoft’s rise.
How to be an Authentic Leader
Everyone yearns for leaders who are genuine and outgoing. A humble leader graciously accepts his or her shortcomings. This becomes an inspiration to others. Followers tend to follow and respect leaders who recognise their shortcomings and are willing to learn from anyone and everywhere.
An example is Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Jacinda Ardern is known for her empathic and authentic leadership style. She openly acknowledges the challenges of balancing leadership and motherhood, showing that it’s okay not to have all the answers and to ask for help when needed.
1. Failure does not necessarily mean inadequacy
Remember that failure does not necessarily mean incompetence. Often, the cause of failure is not singular and is beyond the leader’s control. Instead of looking for a scapegoat, take failure as an opportunity to learn.
2. Make failure a momentum
Failure is also a momentum to develop a culture of creativity and innovation. When you become a leader, don’t be shy to share your failures. Failure can be a lesson for the team. An example is Ed Catmull, the founder of Pixar.
Pixar is an American animation studio headquartered in Emeryville, California, known for its commercially successful computer-animated films. Pixar is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of Disney Entertainment, part of the Walt Disney Company. Ed Catmull fosters a culture where mistakes are part of the creative process. He emphasised the importance of honesty and learning from failure, which helped Pixar produce innovative films.
3. Honing the ability to empathise
An empathetic leader is able to understand and recognise the challenges faced by his team members. By actively listening and showing genuine concern, the relationship between the leader and his/her team members becomes stronger. Employees become more motivated and more productive.
4. Celebrate small successes
Celebrating small successes keeps the team motivated to do even better. Leaders should recognise progress, appreciate employees’ efforts, and encourage employees to learn from experience. Don’t just focus on results. Process is also important.
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