Leaders Never Make Mistakes: Real or Illusion?
Nobody is perfect, not even leaders
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A "mistake-free facade" is the illusion that a leader never makes mistakes. Leaders often feel pressured to appear infallible, believing that showing vulnerability or admitting errors will undermine their authority. This facade creates an unrealistic image of perfection, which has several detrimental effects on an organization.
Setting Unrealistic Standards
When leaders project an image of perfection, it sets an unrealistic standard for the entire team. Team members may hesitate to take risks or propose new ideas out of fear of failure. Without a safe and open environment to ideate, innovation suffers. In this case, conformity bias is the least of the worries.
Reality Check: Disconnect Between Leaders and Teams
The reality is that a mistake-free facade creates a disconnect between leaders and their teams. Team members may perceive leaders as unapproachable or insincere. This lack of authenticity undermines trust and openness, making it difficult for employees to communicate honestly and effectively with their leaders. As a result, relationships suffer, and team cohesion weakens.
Slow Development Equals Slow Scale
When leaders don't acknowledge their mistakes, they miss valuable learning opportunities and set a poor example for their teams. This culture of perfectionism discourages continuous improvement and professional development. Employees might avoid experimenting or taking on new challenges, fearing the repercussions of failure.
Dr. Shelby’s Story
I once worked for a VP of Training who believed everything he said was infallible. After a panel interview, I remember he dismissed the team's input and decided to hire a candidate we advised against. Within the first 30 days of their 90-day probation, it was clear the hire was a mistake. We managers shared evidence of egregious behavioral culture contrasts that occurred with the new hire, yet the VP never owned it. He lost credibility. Conversely, he was punitive when we hired new team members who didn't meet his expectations.
As a result, my colleagues and I stopped contributing ideas and leadership input altogether. We feared the repercussions of failure and the VP's harsh criticism, which stifled continuous improvement and professional development. Ultimately, the entire training staff, including myself, left within nine months to a year. This experience taught me the profound negative impact of a perfectionist culture on team morale and innovation.
No Failing, No Scaling
Scalability requires a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. A mistake-free facade creates a static environment resistant to change. If team members are afraid to share ideas that may provoke change and growth, everything remains the same. No risks are taken, even to make a mistake.
It’s Fantastical to Fail Forward, Fast
Encouraging a culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities fosters innovation. When employees know that their leader is bold and courageous enough to fail and admit it, they feel it's okay to fail. They are more likely to take risks and explore creative solutions.
Mistakes Can Birth Healthy Trust in Relationships
Leaders who admit their mistakes demonstrate humility and authenticity. This openness builds trust and strengthens relationships within the team.
Leaning into a Growth Mindset
Recognizing and discussing mistakes openly encourages a growth mindset. It promotes continuous learning and professional development across the organization.
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